Rev. Nathaniel A Johnson

Columbia, South Carolina - Reverend Nathaniel Adger Johnson was born in Clarendon County, Summerton, S.C. on July 2, 1928. He was the third of eight children born to the late Curtley and Juanita Adger Johnson. Reverend Johnson departed this life on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. He was a loving and devoted husband to Clarice Cannon Wright Johnson for sixty-nine years. He was also a loving and devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather. During Reverend Johnson’s formative years, he was an active member of the Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church in Summerton, S.C. He attended Scotch Branch Elementary School and graduated from Scotch Branch High School, Summerton, S.C. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Allen University, Columbia, S.C., and Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Dickerson Theological Seminary, Columbia, S.C. He pursued advanced studies at the University of South Carolina. Reverend Johnson worked with the Fort Jackson Post Exchange, Fort Jackson, SC from November 1952 to November 1983 in various positions. He retired with thirty-one years of service. Reverend Johnson entered the ministry in 1948 at Shiloh A.M.E. Church in the Central Annual Conference, Eloree, S.C. Under the late Right Rev. Frank Madison Reid, Sr., he was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in the Central Conference in 1949 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, St. Matthews, S.C. Reverend Johnson was ordained as an Itinerant Elder in 1951 at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Columbia, S.C. and transferred to the Columbia Conference. He was appointed pastor of Youngs Chapel A.M.E. Church, Irmo, S.C. Reverend Johnson pastoral appointments include the following A.M.E. Churches: Youngs Chapel, Irmo, S.C.; Shady Grove, Blythewood, S.C.; Mt. Pisgah Station, Dixanna, S.C.; Brown Chapel, Newberry, S.C.; Pleasant Grove, Newberry, S.C.; Shiloh Station, Prosperity, S.C.; High Hills, Stateburg, S.C.; Turner Memorial, West Columbia, S.C.; Miller Chapel, Newberry, S.C.; St. James, Columbia, S.C.; St. Paul, Lancaster, S.C.; and Shady Grove, Winnsboro, S.C. In 1972, Reverend Johnson was appointed by the late Right Reverend William F. Ball, Sr. to the position of Presiding Elder of the Spartanburg District of the Columbia Conference in the 7th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. Over the years, he served faithfully preaching, teaching, and counseling the membership as well as non-members both young and old. He served as an examiner on the Board of Examiners; an organizer and planner in creating and implementing many program ministries, such as YPDs, missionary circle meetings, weekly bible hour and prayer service, and many choirs (youth, junior, young adult, and inspirational); and many other special programs for the improvement of the church and community. Reverend Johnson worked diligently with church officers in paying off indebtedness, purchasing additional properties to provide adequate parking spaces and vans for transportation; renovations of many churches and educational buildings. He also participated in many marches and pro- tests against injustice. Many auxiliaries, trustees, stewards, and individual members have given Reverend Johnson recognition, certificates, plaques, and citations for his outstanding service, kindness, and sensitivity to the needs of the church membership and people in general. In 2004, he received a citation from the State of South Carolina Office of the Governor for longtime dedication to serve the community and helping those in need. Reverend Johnson held membership with the Freemasonry, NAACP, and S.C. Democratic Party. His favorite hymn was “My Hope is Built.” His motto was “Let the Life I Live Speak for Me.” In his spare time, Reverend Johnson enjoyed gardening and landscaping his yard and watching his bushes bloom in the spring; cooking breakfast daily as well as exceptional sweet potato pies and jelly cakes for holidays; making homemade vanilla ice cream in the summer; and working across the street from his home at his beloved Self Service Spray Down Car Wash. During his pastoral ministry of 56 years in the 7th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, in the state of South Carolina, Reverend Johnson rendered faithful, unwavering service in the kingdom building for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After retiring in 2004, he became a devoted member of Adams Northeast AME Church, Columbia, S.C. Reverend Johnson was preceded in death by his parents; Brothers: Joseph Johnson, Malchisel Johnson, and Hezekiah Johnson; Sister: Albertha Clark; Brother-in-laws: James Clark, Theodore Greene, Nathiel Gooden, Willie Pringle, Sr., Clarence Mitchell, Albertus Wright, Granderson Wright Sr., William Cannon, and Craig Cannon; Sister-in-laws: Cherry Johnson, Mary Johnson, Geraldine Johnson, and Lucy Johnson, Ida Pringle, Rosa Gooden, and Frances Mitchell. Left to cherish precious memories of Reverend Johnson are his loving wife, Clarice; his daughter, Dr. Cynthia (Elroy) Whitaker, EdD of Columbia, S.C.; two grandchildren that he adored, Dr. Elroy Whitaker, II, MD, RN and Dr. Jennifer (Johnathan) Holley, MD, RN of Columbia, S.C.; two great-grandchildren, Jolie and Jayla Holley of Columbia, S.C.; Brothers: Roosevelt Johnson of District Heights, Maryland and James Johnson of Clinton, Maryland; Sister: Willie Ida Greene of Buffalo, New York; Brother-in-laws: Robert Wright of Wedgefield, S.C., Arnell Cannon of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sister-in-laws: Emma Johnson Osborne of Buffalo, New York, Annie Mae Parker of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Sandra Cannon of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. A Home Going Service will be held Wednesday, March 29th, 2023  1PM  at Bethel AME Church Columbia SC, A public Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 3PM-7PM ; Family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm at the JP Holley Funeral Home Northeast Chapel 9010 Farrow Road Columbia SC, 29203. www.jpholley.com

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