Michael Johnson

“Mr. Fix It, the Carpenter and Servant”
His #Winning Story

January 27, 1957, a carpenter was gifted to the World with a zest for life and a heart of gold. Michael McKinley Johnson, affectionately known as Son, Dad, Pop Pop, Smokey Boy, Mike, The Beast, and Mike n Ike was born to the late McKinley Edward and Candida Johnson in Washington, DC, the first born of seven. In the early morning hours of January 17th 2022, our beloved earned his heavenly wings and peacefully left this world in the comfort of his home. There is a jubilee in Heaven as he joins his father, McKinley Johnson, wife Leona Johnson, brothers Anthony and Reginald Johnson, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members and friends.

Mike accepted Christ at an early age when he was baptized at St Augustine Catholic Church. Mike was a scholar in his own right and often challenged the next generation by asking, “What’s the word of the day?” He started his education at Sacred Heart Catholic School and then furthered his education in the District of Columbia Public School system and graduated from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School.

Before reporting to Parris Island to begin his military career, Mike and his cousin Gregory took a trip to Hershey Park where he met the love of his life the former Leona (Peanut) Williams. Mike and Peanut were married over 40 years and from this union, they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Celeysa K and Theresa F Johnson.

Mike was gifted with his hands. Once discharged from the Military, he put his hand to the plow in multiple industries -- architecture, information technology and baking before pursuing his love of carpentry. Mike found his love of carpentry when he would assist his father and grandfather with projects around the family farm. He didn't have formal construction training but had God given talent to create and build just about anything. He especially enjoyed teaching this craft to his grandsons and nephews and would have them working alongside him on several jobs.

Mike loved spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed his family dinners with his daughters and grandchildren. Mike thought he was Chef Boyardee until his daughter Celeysa took over the reins. He enjoyed knowing that his mother only wanted his chitterlings. Mike has always had a sweet tooth. His love for cherry pie and apple pie had him make frequent trips to Aldi’s. He always shared his pie with his daughter Theresa and had conversations about current events and what’s happening in the news world. He loved to go out and drive, even in his sickness and always loved to have his co-pilot, the apple of his eye, his only granddaughter, Aniya join him on a ride. He loved to shop for his loved ones and even made sure that for Christmas 2021, his sister Mimi and brother Fred took him shopping to purchase gifts for his family. He loved to have his conversations with his sister, Ida, end by her saying, “Mike, what’s our word” and they would respond together, “Winning”. He loved to play Township on his phone and was very competitive; often, he and his sister Mary would play morning, noon, and night. He loved to share stories about his childhood, travel adventures or tour of duties.

Mike was the life of the party. Whether it was at the annual family reunion, a family cook out or a cabaret you would find Mike on the dance floor where he would remain until the music stopped. You would catch him on the floor doing the percolator or “the Mike,” his own dance.

Mike was full of life and energy and was always helping others. When family members were in need, no matter who they were, Mike would find himself stepping in. He and Peanut took in family members, loved on the next generation, and always had an open door. If someone needed something fixed or repaired, Mike would show up in his uniform, ready to fix the issue.

Mike has a legacy that will continue. He leaves to celebrate his life and continue his legacy, his loving mother Candida Johnson, two daughters Celeysa and Theresa Johnson, three grandsons Michael Day, Jacque Johnson and Norman Day, one granddaughter Aniya Johnson, one brother Fred Johnson (Leslie), three sisters Ida Woods, Mary Johnson-Rambert (Eric), Michelle Johnson, two brother in laws, Thomas Sephes (Thelma), and Clifford Williams (Edwina), one sister in law Henrietta Williams, God sister Cindy Wilkerson and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.