Mervin Johnson, Sr. Obituary (1939 - 2015)

Mervin Alton Brown Johnson, Sr., son of the Late Emma Hutchins, Wilson E. Downes, Sr. and Emma and Clarence Johnson was born on September 28, 1939. He departed his life on Friday, June 19, 2015. Mervin received his education in the Caroline County school system, graduating from Lockerman High School in the Class of 1957. Mr. Brown Johnson was drafted in the U. S. Army on November 18, 1962 and was honorably discharged on November 9, 1964. He worked (48) forty-eight years as an over the road truck driver. You could find him most days after his retirement fishing with his friend, Robert, watching old westerns, Nas car racing or football on TV. Mervin was also a member of the Thunder Guards Motorcycle Club with affiliation in the Preston Chapter. He was a devoted member of New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Ridgely, MD under the leadership of Rev. Dartanyon Hines. He loved good gospel singing. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 5-1/2 years Barbara Broadway Johnson, seven daughters: Vastine (Danny) Jones, Vondra White, Maureen (George) Henry all of Wilmington, DE; Brontia Gross, Tenille (Marcus) Hardy and Elisha Johnson all of Cambridge, MD, Margo (David) Ricks, Federalsburg, MD; four sons: Mervin A. Johnson, Jr., Wilmington, DE, Patrick Dickerson of Delaware, Michael (Sheila) Broadway, Easton, MD and Clinton Broadway, Las Vegas, Nevada; twenty-two (22) grandchildren; thirty (30) great-grandchildren; 8 brothers: Wilson, Downes, Jr., Smyrna, DE, Arthur (Alfreda) Downes, Dover, DE, Howard (Sharon) Downes, Clayton, DE, Keith Chester, Denton, MD, Anthony Johnson, Easton, MD, Victor (Sheila) Wesley, Goldsboro, MD and Lamont Hollis, Goldsboro, MD; 5 sisters: Charlotte Stanford, Easton, MD, Nancy Downes, Denton, MD, Dedra (Dale) Hicks, Ridgely, MD, Kim Johnson, Ridgely, MD, Dorothy (Gregori) Williams, Federalsburg, MD; a sister-in-law: Bertie (Donald) Turner; two Brothers-in-law, Raymond (Joyce) Thomas and Hilton Thomas; Mother-in-law, Goldie Thomas, same as a Mother, Ella Mae Downes, Goldsboro, MD and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two (2) daughters, Valerie Jones Pettiford and Leslie Davis; a sister, Eunice Jackson and a brother, Jimmy Hollis. Interment will take place Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 10 am at Maryland Veterans Cemetery near Hurlock.