Mr. Wayne Johnson

Wayne Johnson of Chicago, Illinois and McComb, Mississippi unexpectedly passed away on October 16, 2023 at the age of 68, due to lung surgery complications. He will be missed, but his impact on this earth will live on. Wayne was born to Leola Trice and Houston “Preacher” Richardson on January 23, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a talented trombonist who loved playing music, telling jokes (playing the dozens), and cooking for all. He enjoyed cooking and barbecuing anywhere he could. Wayne’s passion to cook began with creating dishes he inherited from his mother. After Wayne graduated from Hirsh High School in 1972, he went on to study at Malcolm X College. He initially was interested in joining the police force, but the increased crime rate in Chicago worried his wife, so he went on to become a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. Wayne spent most of his life as a music expert. Initially, he wanted to be a drummer, but the drum set was a little too expensive, so he chose the trombone. This passion to play the trombone was perfected by countless hours of practice that would take him around the country. With his love for the trombone, his musical expertise took him to great heights including performing with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, and many others. He entertained many groups of people including family, friends, church members, and to thousands of concertgoers. In April of 1977, while performing in Mississippi, he met the love of his life, Susan Jones. Although they started in a long-distance relationship, and wrote countless letters to each other, they got married year later on November 4, 1978, in Port Gibson, Ms. Susan moved to Chicago, and they had three children from this union: Renada, Karen and Wayne, Jr. He had a respectable career at the post office for forty-four years, which gave him the flexibility to spend time with his family and continue his passion for music. Every day, he would spend time with his children, whether he was helping them practice their instruments, complete homework or cooking up delicious recipes. He showed his love by action and not words. Wayne was clever and full of knowledge gained through all of his life experiences. Wayne, was strong-willed at times, but he also had a wonderful sense of humor and an enormous heart. Whether that was taking in family members who didn’t have a safe place to live, driving them to medical appointments, or doing carpentry work for them; he was a man of compassion. He had faith in God and showed it by caring for others. He was an active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where he developed many friends. May he continue to be in our hearts forever. Wayne is survived by his wife, Susan and their three children, Renada Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Jr., and Karen Sowell (Husband: Jamal Allen Sowell, Son: Jamal Allen Sowell, III). He is also survived by his sisters, Rita Johnson, Linda Atterberry, Beverly Johnson, Norma Cunningham (Husband: James Cunningham), Gwendolyn Miller, and his brothers: Roshawn Johnson (Wife: Roudina Johnson), Ricky Johnson (Wife: Anne Johnson) and Houston Johnson, along with many nieces and nephews. Wayne was predeceased by his parents Leola and Houston. A visitation for Mr. Johnson will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Craft-Dillon Funeral Home. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 9:00am - 10:30am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with Funeral Services to follow at 10:30am. Father Suresh Reddy will officiate the funeral services with interment to follow in Pike Memorial Garden in McComb, MS. Please share condolences online at www.craftfuneralhome.org

Mr. Wayne Johnson

January 23, 1955 - October 16, 2023