James E. Johnson

James Elwin Johnson, 66, of Little Rock, an independent insurance broker, passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, early in the morning of February 17, 2014. A native of Sheridan, James was born in Little Rock on July 31, 1947 to the late Elwin Nail Johnson and Thaddesse Bone Johnson. A 1965 graduate of Sheridan High School, James made the all-state AA basketball team in the ninth grade when the Sheridan Stingers went to the state tournament. He grew up in the First United Methodist Church of Sheridan, was a member of the Bible Church of Little Rock for many years, Fellowship Bible Church, where he was a shepherd of a Community Group, and a current member of St. Edward's Catholic Church. James was a 1971 graduate of Henderson State University at Arkadelphia. He worked after graduation for several years as a social worker and later as a rehabilitation counselor for the state Rehabilitation Service at the Arkansas Girls' Training School in Alexander. In January of 1978 he began his career as an insurance agent with New York Life Insurance Company. He was a general manager for Aetna Insurance in Fort Smith from 1980 to 1982. After moving back to Little Rock and until his death, he was an insurance broker. While at the Bible Church of Little Rock, he and his wife, Mary, worked as volunteer leaders of the young people at the church. James was also a talented musician, playing and singing in bands while he was in college, and later as a solo act. Most recently, until his illness, he entertained in retirement homes. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Celia "Sissy" Johnson and his two children, Matt Johnson and Jaime Johnson Combs and her husband, Curtis, all of Little Rock, Jaime's son, Daniel, his beloved grandson, all of Little Rock, and his two goddaughters, Maricarmen and Maricruz Negrete of North Little Rock. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 20th at St. Edward Catholic Church, 9th & Sherman Streets, Little Rock, with Father Jason Tyler, celebrant. Visitation will be today (Wednesday) from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock (501) 661-9111. Honorary pallbearers will be James Marvin Allen, Rick Balwanz, Danny Freeman, Mike and Phil Harrington, and Larry Dale Hedden. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.