Carl E. Johnson

Carl E. Johnson (86) of Cartersville, Georgia passed away on March 25, 2014, after a brief illness. He was born on April 9, 1927 in Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia to Wesley and Malena Johnson. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age seventeen near the end of World War Two, and saw the world over the next ten years. He left service briefly, joined the U.S. Army Reserve and then the Georgia Army National Guard, where he served for another ten years at the Con-Site at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After he retired from the service, Carl was a successful small businessman, who also served as a Hinesville City Police Officer, a two-term Liberty County Commissioner, a rural letter carrier, and an inspector for the Georgia Department of Labor. He was also active in community service through the Hinesville Lions Club. Carl was very proud to have donated land and raised funds to build the area's first training center for mentally disabled adults while a member of the Board of Directors of the Liberty County Association for Retarded Citizens. Given his love of politics, he greatly enjoyed his work as a Doorkeeper for the Georgia State Senate during his senior years. In 2004, Carl and his wife Myrtle left Liberty County's sandy soil and salt marshes for Cartersville to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Carl had been active for many years in God's work through the Hinesville First Baptist Church, but when he moved to Bartow County, he found a wonderful place of service at Rowland Springs Baptist Church. Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Myrtle; his daughter, Elaine; his son, Walter (Leslie); his grandson, James (Ashley); his granddaughters Lauren (Drew), Allison (Zach), and Heather; his great-granddaughters, Kyleigh and Kenlie; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Martin, Henry Lee, and Phillip; and sisters Mary Alice and Aline. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at the Rowland Springs Baptist Church Sanctuary, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m., led by the Reverend Joe Ringwalt. Pallbearers in Cartersville include Jay Dunn, Rich Flournoy, Matt Flournoy, Ernie Thompson, Don Lehman, and Jeff Lehman. Owen Funeral Home of Cartersville is in charge of arrangements in north Georgia. The family will also receive friends on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Elim Baptist Church Social Hall (6650 Elim Church Road, NE, Ludowici, GA 31316), followed by a graveside service and interment, with military honors, in the Elim Church Cemetery, led by the Reverend Gene Hiers. Pallbearers in Hinesville include Jon Braddy, Tom Eppley, Wesley Johnson, Bobby Stubbs, Jimmy Stubbs, and Lee Thompson. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements in south Georgia. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Rowland Springs Baptist Church (79 Rowland Springs Rd., Cartersville, Georgia 30121), Hinesville First Baptist Church (220 Memorial Dr., Hinesville, GA 31313), or the Elim Baptist Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carl E. Johnson, please visit our flower store.