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BETHEL, NC – Joel Franklin Johnson “Poppy”, age 76, of Bethel, NC, formerly of Lewiston, NC, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville with his family by his side. Joel was born December 20, 1944 in Bladenboro, NC to the late Willard and Eliza Johnson. He was a 1963 graduate of Bladenboro High School. Joel was the owner and operator of J.F.J. Constructors, Inc. for nearly 40 years.

Joel married his best friend Jeanette Powell Johnson on September 23, 1989. They have nicknamed each other “Buddy” since they began dating and have enjoyed a one of a kind love. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church of Aulander where he was a choir member. Joel truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures such as classic cars, passing out Werther’s Original candy to any and every one, riding his motorcycle and traveling with Jeanette, singing, spending time with family and friends, playing UNO, visiting “the boat,” and mowing the yard even when it didn’t need mowing. Joel’s favorite thing to do was making sure that everyone else had everything they wanted or needed. He also loved carrying flowers to his wife at work.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Eliza Johnson; his brother, Larry Johnson; and his sister, Miriam Kinlaw.

Joel is survived by his wife and best friend of 31 years, Jeanette Johnson. His children include Joel Stephen Johnson and wife Angie of Garland, NC; Denise Naugle of Bladenboro, NC; Alan Gell and wife Angel of Bethel, NC; Amber Bigford and boyfriend Jerry Chandler of Goldsboro, NC; and Frankie David and husband Nick of Mooresville, NC. His honorary children who he loved as his own include Athena Price and husband Jesse; Michelle Newsome and husband Larry; Charlotte Nowell and husband Michael; Chet Holding; and Melanie Eichhorn and husband Stefan.

Joel’s grandchildren include Marissia, Braydon, Blake, Paige, Dylan, Jackson, Brooke, Trinity, Sean, Mason, and Austin. Honorary grandchildren include Braxton, Jacob, Brycen, Broden, Maddox, Charlynn, Willow, and Braelyn.

Joel’s siblings include Merle Johnson and wife Marlene; Greg Johnson and wife Barbara; Deborah Kelley and husband Donald; Mary Edith McKnight and husband Floyd; and Gretta Jackson and husband Tommy.

Joel was also loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and previous employees.

Visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, located at 1437 NC-11, Aulander, NC. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 31, 2020 at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Interment will be at Gowan Cemetery at 908 Page Mill Road, Cerro Gordo, NC. The trip from the church to the cemetery will be approximately 3.5 hours. Therefore, the family requests that persons participating in the procession prepare to travel prior to the funeral or give themselves time to handle what is necessary and fall in with the procession as it travels through Lewiston.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net.

Walker Funeral Home of Windsor is serving the Johnson Family.