Mr. Louis N. Johnson, Sr.

Louis Nathaniel Johnson was born June 15, 1939 in Eastover, South Carolina. He was the only son of the late Jack Johnson and Viola Weston Johnson. Louis departed this life at the age of 82, on Monday, October 25, 2021.

During his formative years, he was educated at Carver Elementary School.  Growing up he participated in Boy Scouts of America. Louis attended C.A. Johnson High School in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was better known as “Pop” or “Granddad”. He was a three sport letterman in football, basketball, and track and graduated, Class of 1959.  He also was an excellent swimmer and life guard at Drew Park swimming pool.

Louis was united in marriage to Juanita Whaley on August 9, 1959. From this union, two children were born, Pamela Rochell and Louis Nathaniel, Jr. They later renewed their love for one another on June 1, 1996.

He joined Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) as a law enforcement deputy in 1968.  During his tenure with RCSD he worked as a General Investigator and Narcotics Investigator.  He was promoted to Lieutenant and appointed as the first African American Community Liaison Officer by Sheriff Allen Sloan in 1990. He retired from the Sheriff’s Department after 29 years of service.  In addition to the Sheriff’s Department, Louis was also employed by Benedict College for 18 years as a Campus Police Officer, where he later retired as Captain.

Louis was a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina.  He accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord later in his life. He also was a member of the RCSD Men’s Basketball Team.  Louis coached Youth Community Basketball Team for 13 years and the Greenview Pop Warner Football Team for 15 years.

Louis is survived by his wife, Juanita Whaley Johnson; three children, Pamela (Jerry) Simuel, Louis Nathaniel (Francy) Johnson, Jr., and Joseph Louis Alexander Greene; eight grandchildren, Michelle Simuel, Jerry Simuel, Jr., Michael (Jessica) Simuel, Debrah Simuel, DaVon Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Jr., Tyrus Maxwell, and Josie Greene; nine great-grandchildren; a special cousin, Yvonne Scott; three sisters-in-law, Doris (Ronald) Mays, Elaine (Jesse) Beacham, and Audrey Jackson; one brother-in-law, David (Lauretha) Whaley, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.

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