Joe B. Johnson

Joe B. Johnson, 86, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 22 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, with family at his side. He was born July 20, 1931, to Oliver and Villa Johnson, and was the 5th son and 6th child. He was predeceased by his sister Mildred Johnson Blanding of Independence, Missouri; and brothers, O.T. Johnson of Benton, Arkansas; Johnny Johnson of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Charlie Johnson, Eugene Johnson, and Frank Johnson, all of Benton, Arkansas. Joe grew up in Paron, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school. After graduation he worked briefly in furniture manufacturing before joining Teletype (Lucent Technology/AT&T). He retired from Teletype after thirty plus years of service. Joe married the love of his life, Ida Lou Dunn Johnson, on October 14, 1967, from then on they enjoyed fifty years and 6 months, of wedded bliss. He enjoyed going to antique shops, flea markets and estate sales. He never met a clock, or bicycle, he didn't like, or failed to collect. He is survived by his wife, Ida Lou Dunn Johnson; his sisters-in-Law, Francis Johnson, Earlene Johnson, Gussie Johnson all of Benton, Arkansas; and Miyako Johnson of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Also surviving Joe are his Brothers-in-Law, Carroll Wayne Dunn and wife, Marty Dunn of Little Rock, Arkansas; and William Dunn of Tontitown, Arkansas. He is also survived by sisters-in-Law, Francis Dunn and Louise Dunn Silen of Hampton, Arkansas. He loved all of his numerous surviving nieces and nephews, and was loved dearly by them. Joe was a Shriner and a member of Second Baptist Church on Eighth and Scott, in Little Rock, Ark. Visitation will be Thursday 6 p.m. until 8:00 pm at Benton Funeral Home in Hampton, Arkansas. Funerals services will be 2:00 pm Friday at Faustina Methodist Church, in Hampton, Ark., on W 278 Hwy., where Joe and Ida were married. It will be conducted by Rev. Charles Attebery and Rev. Jeremy Langley. Burial will be in the Dunn Cemetery of Hampton, Arkansas, following the funeral. Memorials may be made to Southern Christian Home, P.O. Box 649 Morrilton, Ark. 72110 or Arkansas Children's Hospital #1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. The family would like to thank Dr. Benny Green for his special care. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce/Hampton. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.