Rev. Harvey Lee Johnson

On the evening of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Rev. Harvey Lee Johnson, Jr., age 78, of Marion, departed this life peacefully while at Autumn Care of Drexel.

Rev. Johnson was born to the late Harvey Lee Johnson, Sr. and Agnes Marie Spicer Johnson on December 12, 1947 in Pulaski, Virginia where he was a member of the first graduating integrated class of Pulaski High School, marking an important milestone in the community’s history.

He pursued higher education and theological training at several distinguished institutions, including Emory & Henry University in Emory, Virginia; the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia; the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. 

Rev. Johnson began his ministry as a teenager within the United Methodist Church (UMC), where he traveled extensively across the United States ministering to youth as an active member of the Youth Fellowship (now UMYF). 

His first pastoral appointment was at Rural Retreat United Methodist Church in Rural Retreat, Virginia. Over the course of his ministry, he faithfully served numerous congregations, including Marion United Methodist Church in Marion, Virginia; Abingdon United Methodist Church in Abingdon, Virginia; Hurst Memorial United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Gordon Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia; Central United Methodist Church in Thomasville, North Carolina; St. Mary’s–Liberty Grove–Bethel Glenola United Methodist Church (Trinity Parish) in North Carolina; and Addie’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Marion, North Carolina. He also served as Chaplain at Marion Correctional Institution in Marion, North Carolina. 

Throughout his life and ministry, Rev. Johnson remained deeply committed to the encouragement and development of young people. In addition to his pastoral duties, he served as a mentor, substitute teacher, assistant basketball coach, and driver for the varsity cheerleaders, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to guiding and supporting the next generation.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 22 years, Dorothy Brown Johnson; his children, born of his union with Edna Bradley Johnson: Harvey L. Johnson III (Felicia) of Yorktown, Virginia; Pryncess Johnson (special friend, Kevin) of Chester, Virginia; and Serelyn Johnson Green (George) of High Point, North Carolina; his stepchildren from his second union, Edwana Twitty (James- deceased) and Sean Lynch; four grandchildren, Autumn Mickens (Courtney), Karsyn Green, Janeeka Lynch, and Tara Hawkins; four great-grandchildren, Brynn and Braelynn Mickens, Braylen Hamilton, and Micah Ledbetter; numerous extended family members and friends including Guy Brown Jr. (Boom) and Ann Fowler who provided great love, care and support during his illness.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Beam Celebration Center. A homegoing celebration will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Walter Pegues officiating. Interment will be at the McDowell Memorial Park.