Bertie Dean "PeeWee" Johnson

October 9, 2014

Mr. Bertie Dean "Pee Wee" Johnson, age 84, a resident of Columbia passed away Thursday, October 9, 2014 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 2:00 PM with Sister Inez Jones and Keith Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Hilltown Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Herbert Griffin Post 19. The family will receive friends for visitation on Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home and again one hour prior to the service on Sunday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Pee Wee was born on January 8, 1930 and was the son of the late Marshall and Pearlie Maude Warren Johnson. He was born and raised in the Hilltown Community, attended Sylvan Heights School, and was of the Nazarene faith. Pee Wee served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, and was a former racecar driver at Nashville Fairground Speedway. He was the owner and operator of Pee Wee's Place Night Club and Restaurant in Nashville for 25 years where he was known for his famous hot chicken. After retiring from the restaurant business in 1985, he went on the road with George Jones as his road manager. George Jones considered Pee Wee as his right hand man, "Bubba." He retired his work with George in 2000. He later began working with his daughter at Hardison Land Title Company where he retired as a customer service representative. Later in life, he often enjoyed spending his afternoons at Frazier's Place- "the watering hole" with the round table gang. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children: Roy Dean (Regina) Johnson of Nashville, Rhonda (Randy) Hardison of Spring Hill, Debbie (Lee) Lane of Nashville; grandchildren: Jessica White, Jonathan White, Jessica (Alan) Connelly, Sam Hardison, Alison Hardison, Christina (Brian) Willoughby, Rebecca Appleton, Dusty Lane, Janet (Tyler) King; great-grandchildren: Lawson Kelley, Melanie Crutcher, Maverick Crutcher, Sophia Willoughby, Farah Appleton, Kate King, Carter King; special niece: Wanda Kelley (Wallie) Keller; and all other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Sara Johnson; son: Jerry Wayne Johnson; sister: Emma Lou Lewis; and brother-in-law: Charlie Lewis. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Wayne Davidson, Eddie Ray Stanfill, John Stanfill, Jonathan White, Chief Lee Bergeron, Jimmy Rippey, Fred Baker, Sam Hardison, Ricky Stanfill, Jackie Gibbs, Ed Lee, and Doug Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Casey, John Hobbs, Nancy Jones, Bill Faimon, Martin Coleman, Ed Holton, Donald Sneed, Corrine Wells, the Jones Boys Band, all the former employees of Pee Wee's Place, and all country music entertainers whom Pee Wee loved so much. The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to Pee Wee's nurse, Macie McKee, for her care and compassion during this difficult time.