Bishop James Reece Johnson

James Reese Johnson transitioned peacefully on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the age of seventy-nine (79). He was born on March 2, 1945 in Snow Hill, MD. His mother, Viola Copes, passed away when he was a young boy. His father was the late James Shockley. His grandparents, Buelah and Irvin Johnson, raised him on a farm in Snow Hill, MD. Both have preceded him in death. James, aka Big James, aka Tiny, aka Jimmie, aka Reverend Ike, was a gentle giant who loved people. He was married to Mary Alice Johnson for fifty-five (55) years and together, they raised eight boys and four girls with lots of love and devotion. He loved Mary with an enduring love, and before he transitioned, he was persistent in telling his children to make sure the love of his life was taken care of. With a large family, he worked hard to care for and spoil his babies. His profession for many years was a self-employed mason. He loved taking his children down to Ocean City to show them the foundations that he poured. His greatest love was fishing. Sometimes he would stay on the pier overnight or multiple days just fishing until the frustrated Mary Johnson would tell him to come and get his kids. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with unconditional love. He and his wife opened their home to their nieces and nephews, as well as others, giving them lots of love and direction. James loved to laugh and give his family that “Fred Sanford” look when he didn’t agree with something. His greatest past time was calling his wife all the time “MARRRRRYYYYYY.” Bishop James Johnson gave his life to God in 1970 at the Apostolic Church of Emmanuel in Peppertown, DE. He later became a deacon at the Apostolic Church of Emmanuel on Seminole Boulevard in Salisbury, MD, under the direction of Bishop Roscoe M. Johnson. Bishop Roscoe became a father figure to him and under Bishop Roscoe’s tutelage, he embraced the true word of God and accepted the calling. In 1979, God was calling him to Pastor Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. The humble beginnings started in members’ homes until God gave him the means to build the church with his own hands. For nearly a half-century, Bishop Johnson preached God’s word with such power and integrity. He loved studying the word of God. The late Apostle Donald Johnson and Bishop would study together so long they both would fall asleep on each other. Bishop Johnson was so humble. He never wanted attention drawn to himself, but was always concerned about others. Under his leadership, many souls have been saved, set free, and delivered. Miracles have been manifested even in his own life. Some say that Bishop’s anointing saved their life. In addition to his parents and grandparents, James was preceded in death by: his two sons, Peter Maurice Johnson and Apostle Donald Covington Johnson; two grandsons, Kameron Lee Chandler and Dortez Rufus McCray, Jr.; his in-loves, Samuel (Anna Clara) Chandler; his spiritual parents, Bishop Roscoe M. (Sarah Nellie) Johnson; sisters-in-love, Adele Mumford and Patricia (Crippy) Sykes; brothers-in-love, Michael Chandler, Reginald Keith, Henry C. Lillard and Robert Matthews; his loving aunts, Stella Mae Johnson, Catherine Johnson and Ocie Copes; his uncles, Dave Copes, Garfield Webster, John Johnson, Steve Johnson, Ellis Johnson, Rufus Johnson and William Johnson and his beloved sister, Pauline Tull. He leaves behind to carry on his legacy: his beautiful wife, Mary Alice Johnson; sons, James (Darlene) Chandler, Robert (Pamela) Chandler, Terrance (Julia) Johnson, Maquis (Krystal) Johnson, Jeremiah (Verne’) Johnson and Zachariah (Krysta) Johnson; daughters, Rebecca (Quintin) Dennis, Tabitha Brown, Lakedia (Cedric) Mumford and Tanisha (Dortez) McCray, Sr.; daughter-in-love, Alisa Johnson; his only brother, Stanley (Juanita) Johnson; sisters-in-love, Sandra (Pearlis) Sturgis and Lorretta Matthews; brothers-in-love, Samuel (Shareeta) Chandler, Ulyssess Lillard, Charles (Diane) Lillard, Eddie Ray Keith and Cleveland Chandler, brother-in-love/best friend, Samuel Tull; his only living aunt, Agnes Mumford; 21 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, adopted children/grandchildren, and his beautiful ACJC church family.

Bishop James Reece Johnson

March 2, 1945 - June 22, 2024