Phillip Johnny

Marshall Johnson

On a beautiful day, January 27, 1952, God opened the heavens and parted the skies unto Perry and Louise Johnson their first and only son, Phillip Johnson, was born. He grew up alongside his sisters, Rhonda and Brenda Johnson.

Phillip received his education at N. H. Pilate High School in Newton, Mississippi. From an early age, his life was marked by quiet strength and deep conviction which led him to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior. Phillip was baptized and became a member at Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church. The shared love between Phillip and the members of Pine Ridge has always been with an open heart, enthusiasm, acknowledgement, and welcoming for Phillip to join the pastor's platform every time he returned home. Due to the great passion Phillip had for the Lord, he re-devoted his life to Christ in 1982 and never let go.

Phillip was more than a man—he was a tower of faith, quiet in his walk, strong in his stance, unshakable in his word. He carried himself with honor—the King under the covering of the King. By faith, he lived; by faith, he loved; by faith, he endured. The scriptures were his compass; the house of the Lord was his refuge. Phillip ministered at Back at the Cross Church in Manteno, Illinois, offering a "Ponder of Thought" that fed hearts before the sermon began. Phillip's favorite words were, "Praising the Lord anyhow."

On September 6, 2002, he took Gwenetta's hand, and together, they walked nearly 23 years together. He called her Proverbs 31 woman, bragging on her virtue and strength. He wore his marriage like a crown, grateful to God for his Queen.

Phillip loved to travel, play tennis, skate, hear the voices of his grandchildren, and sit with his church family in the presence of the Lord.

Phillip leaves a legacy of his mother, Louise; wife (his queen), Gwenetta; son, Antoine; daughter-in-love, Trina; only granddaughter, Trinity; sister, Rhonda (Harvey); and a host of loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Loved ones who preceded him in death were his father, Perry Johnson, and his sister, Brenda Johnson, who now sit at the right hand of the Lord.