MURFREESBORO – Mr. Raleigh Johnson, spouse of the late Sarah Lucy Britt Johnson, died Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at Vidant Hospice House in Greenville, NC.

He grew up near Newsoms, Virginia in Southampton County, son to parents James Henry Johnson and Nannie Bett Storey Johnson, and had also been predeceased by a sister, Hazel Johnson Fletcher, and brother, Edward James Johnson.

A member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church, Mr. Johnson served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and was retired from Union Camp Corporation Pipe and Plant Maintenance Systems.  He was a member of the American Checker Federation becoming National Checker Champion after having won numerous state tournaments.

He is survived by daughters, Norma J. Johnson and husband, Charles, and Wendy Johnson Marks, all of Murfreesboro; three grandchildren, Sherry Outland Pridgen and husband, Gray, of Beaufort, Kevin Lee Outland and wife, Kathy, of Aulander, and Sarah Brittney Rose of Murfreesboro;  five great grandchildren, Kelly Nicole Thagard and Michael Preston Thagard of Beaufort, William Thomas Lewter, Jr. and wife, Emily, of Dunnellon, Florida,  and Kristin Brooke Outland and Katelin Leigh Outland of Aulander; one great-great granddaughter, Autumn Elyce Lewter of Dunnelan, Fla; three step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Johnson were held on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Murfreesboro Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, NC with Rev. Lee Canipe presiding. Burial followed in Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro.

Anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to Hertford/Gates County Relay for Life at Chowan University, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 or Murfreesboro Baptist Church.

Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc., 605 West Main Street, Conway, NC, is serving the Johnson family. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bridgersfuneralhome.com.