Johnny B. Josey Jr.

AMERICUS — The Reverend Johnny B. Josey Jr., age 59, 1007 N. Jackson St., Americus, passed Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Cotton Avenue, Americus. The Rev. Melvin McCluster will officiate. Interment will follow in the New Mount Mariah Baptist Church Cemetery on Mask Road, Americus.

There will be a viewing of the body from noon to the time of service on the day of the funeral.

The Rev. Josey was born Nov. 26, 1945, to the late Rev. Johnny B. Josey Sr. and Ceola Jackson Josey in Sumter County. He was educated in the public school system of Sumter County. At an early age, he joined the New Mount Mariah Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon in the early 70’s and in April 1981, he was called into ministry.

He was the pastor at the following churches: New Home Baptist Church of Marion County, New Zion Baptist Church of Taylor County, Macedonia Old Field Baptist Church of Terrell County and Union Baptist Church of Randolph County. He was a member of the Southwest Georgia Missionary Association.

The Rev. Josey was employed with Cooper Lighting Company as a machinist. On Aug. 30, 1968, he was married to the former Ernestine Sims and to this union they were blessed with two children. One brother, Willie Lewis Josey preceded him in death.

Survivors are: wife of 36 years, Ernestine Sims Josey of Americus; children, Stan Vachon Josey of Americus and Johnny B. Josey III of Valdosta; granddaughter, Destenee Josey of Plains; grandson, John Alexander Josey of Waycross; God granddaughter, Brianna Watts of Leslie; siblings, Paul Josey of Newark, NJ; Claude Josey of Newark, NJ, Bernice Josey of Detroit and Linda London of Warner Robins and a host of aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel in Oglethorpe is in charge of arrangements