Theodore Samuel Johnson

On Monday, February 24, 2020, Rev. Theodore S. Johnson, 83 of Whiteville, NC, walked into the arms of Jesus after a long illness. Ted, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on June 25, 1936 to the late Theodore Francis and Leona Frew Johnson in Abbottsburg, North Carolina. While he was still 83, as of Christmas Day 2019, he would have told you he was legally 84.

From an early age, Ted was fascinated by numbers and excelled in math. He followed that passion to Appalachian State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Math Education and later a Master’s in Educational Administration from Radford College in Radford, Virginia.

While watching a Billy Graham Crusade, Ted gave his heart to the Lord and soon felt the call to go into the ministry. After graduating from App State, Ted felt called to attend Holmes Theological Seminary to become a minister in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. During his time as a student, he met his wife Patricia to whom he was married for 56 years. Ted pastored several churches in the Appalachian Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness church in Virginia and West Virginia before going to Hawaii with his wife Patricia and children to serve as a Pentecostal Holiness Church Missionary.

In addition to being a pastor, Ted was a high school math teacher, middle school teacher, and Adult Basic and Adult High School Teacher working in a number of schools in Virginia, West Virginia, Hawaii, and North Carolina before finishing his career as an instructor in Adult Basic Education for Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, North Carolina.

Ted was an avid sports enthusiast and followed the UNC Tar Heels, NC State University Wolfpack, Atlanta Braves, and Carolina Panthers. In his later years, he especially enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren. His children remember a serious man who had his funny moments of humor – especially when they remember his “broom guitar” sessions and love of Little Orphan Annie cartoons.

Ted was a resident of Premier Living in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina for 10 years.  While living there, he regularly attended Saturday worship services and Sunday School.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Betty Lou Johnson Salzman, Marilyn Johnson, and Charlene Johnson Falls. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Kanode Johnson, and their three children: Kimberly Johnson of Raleigh, NC; Samuel Johnson and his wife, Cynthia of Cary, North Carolina; and Heidi Johnson Matthews and her husband, Dave Matthews of Raleigh, NC and two grandchildren, Zacharias Johnson (9) and Ella Matthews (1) as well as two cousins: Billy Johnson and his wife Barbara of Elizabethtown, NC and Betty Ann Johnson of Clarkton, NC. 

The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Peacock Funeral Home at 1227 South Madison Street in Whiteville, North Carolina. Rev. Benny Reed will be officiating. A burial service will be at the Falcon Memorial Cemetery in Falcon, NC at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, friends may choose to make a donation to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockfuneralhome.net 

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