Charles Irwin Johnson

December 9, 1930 - July 1, 2016

Mr. Charles Irwin Johnson, age 85, husband of Shirley Johnson, and a resident of Columbia, passed away July 1, 2016 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. John Rushing officiating. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 from 4-8PM at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Arkansas at a later date. Heritage Funeral is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on December 9, 1930 in Pollard, Arkansas, Charles was the son of the late Charles Franklin Johnson and the late Ola Mae Irwin Johnson. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from GMI and retired as a general foreman in tool and die. He worked for Chevrolet Metal Fab in Flint, Michigan for thirty-two years where he was known as Charming Charlie. Charles married Shirley Surface on June 2, 1956.  After retirement, he and his wife moved to Kimerling City, Missouri where they enjoyed fifteen years there raising their grandson, Chase. They moved to Tennessee in 2007. Charles was a member of Flint Baptist Temple when he lived in Flint, Michigan and was most recently a member of Northside Baptist Church in Columbia, Tennessee. In his past he was a reading tutor and was a Mason for fifty years at Lodge 490 in Flint, Michigan. “Poppy” as he was known by his grandson and great grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, feeding birds, and antique tractors. He was an honorary member of the Grand Blanc High School Wrestling Team, which was a passion to him even though he had no sons of his own. Charles Irwin documented his childhood memories growing up in the 1930’s on the family farm in Pollard, Arkansas. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Shirley, of sixty years, he is survived by his daughters: Rhonda (Floyd) Crandall of Columbia, LaDonna Johnson of Columbia, Kimberly (Donnie) Lockhart of Columbia; grandchildren: Chase (Brittany) Crandall, Amy, Christopher (Eva) Crandall, Carrie, and Brian; great grandchildren: Katarina, Dyson, Christian; nephews: Lowel Johnson, John Johnson; and niece: Sandra Critchely.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Dallas Johnson, Ruel Johnson; nephew: Richard Johnson; and nieces: Virginia Mae Johnson and Donna Kay Johnson.

The family requests memorial donations be made to: Northside Baptist Church: 127 Theta Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 or New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Arkansas.