Willie Melvin Johnson

Willie Melvin Johnson was born to the late Marie Mc Nair Johnson and Preston Johnson on February 18, 1940 in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He departed this life on March 29, 2016 at his residence. Melvin was educated in the Laurinburg public school system, graduating from Shaw High School in 1958. He played basketball and participated in other school activities. After graduating, he attended Fayetteville State Teachers College. In 1959, Melvin moved to Hollis, NY and in 1961 Melvin married his childhood sweetheart Arneitha McCall (Sister Cake) daughter of the late Louise McLeod McCall and Daniel Webster McCall. To that union they were blessed with two lovely children. They later moved to Roosevelt, Long Island New York. Melvin was a former member of Cool Spring United Methodist Church and upon moving to New York, he later joined Antioch Baptist Church. Melvin was employed by Northrop Grumman in Bethpage Long Island, New York where he retired after 38 years of service as an electronic manager. Melvin received many awards and recognitions during his employment at Grumman. Melvin had a caring and loving way about him, always willing to help people, especially his wife, children, grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was very gifted in knowing about sports statistics in baseball, basketball and football. It was his passion watching games and being able to talk about the players and their plays during the games or researching salaries of the players etc. Melvin loved family gatherings with his family and in-laws visiting him from various areas. When he and his wife Cake decided to move to North Carolina, it was a hard decision leaving New York and his children, grandchildren and other relatives and friends. After moving into their first house in Charlotte, Cake discovered that their first house in North Carolina did not have sufficient outdoor space to allow for gardening, planting and growing beautiful flowers. Melvin told her to pick out a more spacious house so she could enjoy her hobby of gardening. Melvin was pleased that he and his wife Cake were living their retirement dream in Charlotte, North Carolina. Melvin is predeceased by his parents Marie and Preston Johnson, two brothers Gomajor Johnson and Paul Johnson and one sister, Odessa Johnson Hillian. Melvin leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife of 54 years, Arneitha Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina, one daughter, Doris Renee’ Johnson Rivers (Gary) of Roosevelt, New York, one Son, Melvin Jemail Johnson (Claudia) of Miami, Florida, Two grandsons, Gary Timon Rivers II, Brandon Terrell Rivers of Atlanta Georgia, number one and only granddaughter, Keyona Mellissa Rivers of Roosevelt, New York, two sisters, Maggie Graham of Laurinburg, NC and Louise Johnson of Hollis, NY, one brother, Preston Johnson of Hollis NY, three nephews, Henry Graham of Cambria Heights, NY, Larry Graham and Robert Lewis Graham of Laurinburg, NC, five nieces Lizzie Graham of Silver Spring, Maryland, Yvette Gentry of Queens Village, NY, Michele Hillian - Nichols of Springfield Gardens NY, Armisha Malloy of Raleigh, North Carolina and Deatrice Johnson of Westbury, NY too many other relatives and friends to name.

Willie Melvin Johnson

February 18, 1940 - March 29, 2016