Donzell Johnson, Nashville, TN. Retired Metro educator who retired from the classroom but never from teaching. He spent thirty-six years educating minds and inspiring hearts. Don transitioned peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on October 1, 2014. Cherishing precious memories of him are: a loving and devoted wife, Mary Jones Johnson; five children, Renita (Donnie) Ridley, Mimi (John) Thomas, Ken Jones, Michelle (Mackey) Long, Esq., and Ralph (Chante') Johnson; six siblings, Osby (Lousie) Johnson, Eunice Brooks, Wilma Pitre, Minister Dale (Mickey) Johnson, Roland (Rosetta) Johnson and Heloyce Kinnermon; eleven grandchildren, Sean Ridley, Tyler Ridley, Angelica Johnson, John Thomas, Jr., Mackey (Trey) Long III, Carolyn Johnson, Carolyn Thomas, Joy Johnson, Madison Long, Christine Thomas, and Victoria Johnson; and a number of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, October, 9, 2014, at 7 p.m. from Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 5891 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN. Open viewing will be at the church beginning on Thursday from 2 until 5 p.m. Public visitation with the family will begin on Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. until service time. Family and friends will assemble at the Middlle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Pegram, TN, on Friday, October 10, 2014, at 11 a.m. for committal services and Military Honors. Services under the direction of the Taylor Funeral Home, Dickson, TN, 446-2808. TaylorSince1909.com

Published in The Tennessean on October 7, 2014