Stephen C Johnson

STEPHEN C. JOHNSON,  was born in Goldsboro, NC.  Affectionately known as "Coot," "Steve," "Daddy," "Grandpa," and "Papa J," he was the youngest and the last surviving child of Jocephus and Mattie Moses.  On February 27, 2017, shortly after midnight, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, NY while holding his loving wife's hand, he answered God's greatest call, transitioning to his eternal mansion.

Stephen graduated from Dillard High School in Goldsboro, NC and also attended Carnegie Institute in Cleveland, OH for two years. He later enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States and served during the Korean War. He was a decorated soldier, receiving multiple honors, including the Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged. Stephen relocated to the Buffalo area, where he met and married Mary Magdalene Battle on March 30, 1951. This union was blessed with three children: Clarice Adelle (Nitanju), Marva Louise (Aisha) and Crystal, our angel, who sadly did not survive childbirth.

Stephen worked at Bethlehem Steel Plant in Lackawanna, NY first, as a Scraper and soon advanced to the position of Supervisor, which he held for many years. When the plant closed, he began working with Laidlaw Transportation as a school bus driver, which he continued until his retirement.

Stephen was a a long time and devoted member of Sunrise Church of Christ Disciples, serving as a Deacon. After their closing, he untied with Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 2006 under the tutelage of Pastor William Gillison.

Stephen had a beautiful and rich singing voice, fashioning his style after some of his favorite artist, Arthur Prysock and Billy Eckstein. He also loved to cook-especially big pot dishes like chili, his infamous homemade barbecue sauce, and his specialty, "Imagination" - a soup that was deliciously different each time he created it. (He would often make his food so hot, that only he and his brother Henry could eat it, sweating all the while). He loved reading, and devoured the newspaper daily, as well as many novels- particularly science fiction and those by August Wilson. A sports enthusiast, he especially enjoyed football, basketball and baseball.

Although he just turned 92 years young, until December 2016 he was still going strong! But challenges with his legs and a series of falls which led to surgery all contributed to his recent decline.

In addition to his devoted wife of sixty-five years and children, he also leaves to mourn his son-in-law, Tayari Casel; his grandson, Obadele Casel and many, many treasured loved ones, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 11am at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 701 E. Delavan Ave. Funeral to follow at 12 noon. 

 Service Information