Donald "Ray" Johnson

Donald “Ray” Johnson, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at his home in Columbia, Tennessee.

Ray was born on November 9, 1938 in Culleoka, Tennessee to the late Sam Johnson and Frances Clymer Johnson. Ray married the love of his life, Sarah Bailey, and the two shared fifty-two beautiful years together. Ray began doing floor covering work in 1959. In 1987, he opened his very own business, Johnson’s Carpet. Sarah and his son, Don, joined Ray in the family business and they have run the company together to this day. He was accomplished in all the businesses he operated based on his work ethic. Ray coached his son Don’s baseball team for numerous years. Ray proudly served his country in the National Guard for nine years. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. Ray was an active member of Graymere Church of Christ since the late 1970’s. Two of the brightest spots in his life were his two grandchildren.

The family will visit with friends on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until service time at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee with Andrew Phillips, John Vaughan, and Wendell Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife Sarah Johnson of Columbia; son Don (Kerrie) Johnson of Columbia; granddaughter Ella Johnson of Columbia; grandson Kadon Johnson of Columbia; brother W.C. (Geraldine) Johnson of Mt. Pleasant; sister-in-law Janice Johnson of Columbia; and several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Frances Johnson and brother Paul Johnson.

Pallbearers will be Keith Johnson, Cam Johnson, Darrell Johnson, Eddie Markus, Johnny Paisley, Johnny Markus, Matt Battles, and Guy Odom.

Honorary pallbearers are Chuck Wortman and Wendell Robinson Sunday School Class at Graymere Church of Christ; the Elders of Graymere Church of Christ; the brothers and sisters of Graymere Church of Christ; Pete and Gladys Yoppolo; Junive Markus; Billie Lovett; Sylvia Gray; Kathy and Fred Porter; Paulette and Ashley Brown; Gene and Eddie Richardson; Dr. Gibran Naddy; and the customers and many people that have worked through the years with Ray at Johnson’s Carpet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Columbia Academy and Graymere Church of Christ.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.williamsfh.com .