Byron EugeneJohnson

 Byron Eugene Johnson, 99, of Merit, died November 17, 2011 in Greenville.

Visitation will be from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM with a memorial service at 7:00 PM Monday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. David Hawkins will be officiating.  Burial will be in Merit Cemetery at a later date.

Byron was born September 23, 1912 in the Dulaney Community to Myrtle Deanna Nix and George Washington (Wash) Johnson.  After his father’s death, his mother married Benjamin Franklin Ray.  Byron was married to Mildred Louise Smith in Celeste on September 4, 1938.  She preceded him in death on October 13, 2002 after 64 years of marriage.  Byron was a successful farmer all of his life.  He knew and loved the land and that union provided a living for his family.  He was a member of Merit Baptist Church for over 40 years.

Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law, Donnie and Nancy Johnson of Caddo Mills and Larry and Sheryl Johnson of Quinlan; grandchildren Tony Johnson of Merit, Keith Johnson of Humble, Tracie Lindsey of Avondale, Arizona, Lisa Sharkey of Greenville and Casey Johnson of Boerne; great-grandchildren Tori Phifer, Jason Johnson, Josh Johnson, Justin Lindsey, Logan Sharkey, Brittani Lindsey, Eiko Johnson, Fernando Johnson, Perla Castaneda, Karina Castaneda, and Betty Castaneda; great-great-grandson Jaxson Johnson; sister Beatrice Coppinger of Dallas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and step-father; brothers W. J. Johnson, Morris Harold Ray, B. F. Ray, Guy Ray, John L. Ray, Ellis Ray, and Norris Ray; sisters Irene Wright, Lois Ray Howard, Ida Bell Walker, Janiece Pitman, Leon Mullins, Ira Turner, Inez Taft, Joyce Nixon, and two infant siblings.

Memorials may be made to the building fund at Merit Baptist Church, P. O. Box 264, Merit, TX   75458 or Bland I.S.D., P. O. Box 216, Merit, TX   75458.