Ira Leonard Johnson, III

Mr. Ira Leonard Johnson, III

Ridge Spring—A celebration of life service for Mr. Ira Leonard Johnson, III age 66 will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Cole Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Eddie Moyer officiating. Interment will be private.

Mr. Johnson passed away peacefully at his residence into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, November 19, 2015 surrounded by his family.  He was a native of Iaeger, WV, and had made Aiken County his home for the past 32 years.  He was the husband of Mrs. Debbie Massengill Johnson, Ridge Spring, and son of the late Mr. Ira Leonard Johnson, Jr. and the late Mrs. Hilda Nelson Johnson.  Mr. Johnson had retired from Fed X as a courier with 18 years of service.  He was an accomplished professional musician having played the steel guitar and banjo. Mr. Johnson started in blue grass music with the Johnson family and The Crossmen Quartet. He was privileged to work and play at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN. He moved on to playing southern gospel music with the Hinson Family. Then throughout the years Mr. Johnson along with his wife Debbie and son Ira played and sang for weddings, receptions in the work for the Lord in church, and a nursing home ministry.  Mr. Johnson was the minister of help at New Covenant Praise Church here in Aiken.

Additional survivors include one son, Ira Leonard (Tabatha) Johnson, IV, New Ellenton; one daughter, Katrina Wilson, Aiken; two brothers, Gary (Judi) Johnson, Woolwich, Maine, Ben (Kacey) Johnson, Wayne, WV; one sister, Carol (Homer) Taylor, Wayne, WV; six grandchildren, Ira Leonard Johnson, V, David Ira Johnson, Hannah Marie Johnson, Brandon Lee Johnson, Greg Wilson, and Jake Wilson; his step mother, Wilma Johnson, Wayne, WV.   Mr. Johnson was also predeceased by one sister, Virginia Baker.

Pallbearers will be Ira Leonard Johnson, IV, David Ira Johnson, Gary Johnson, Ben Johnson, Trent Harrelson,  and Jason Rushton.

The family would like to express a gratitude of thanks to Hospice Care of Tri County for the compassionate care they gave Mr. Johnson during his illness.

The family would also like for memorials be made to Hospice Care of Tri County, 2130 Woodside Executive Court, Aiken, SC, 29803.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm this evening, Saturday, November 21, 2015 at COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PARKWAY, (118 BY PASS) AIKEN, SC, 29801. 803-648-7175. Please sign the online registry or order flowers at www.colefuneralhomeinc.com.

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