Pastor Earnest Lee Johnson

Earnest Lee Johnson was born on January 29,1943 in Abbeville, Alabama to the late Ernest and Hattie B. Johnson. He was affectionately known as “Bay”. He was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 1, 2025.

His family moved to Panama City, Florida when he was very young. They lived in the Springfield area that was also known as Bay Harbor. He had a love for swimming.  He would often swim long distances in the bay not far from his home. This earned him the nick-name (Bay). Many of those that knew him well would call him Uncle Bay, Bay Boy, Mr. Bay.

Earnest attended the area’s local elementary, Junior and Senior High School. He graduated from Rosenwald High School in 1962. He was well known for playing multiple sports with football being his favorite. After graduation he received a scholarship to attend Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. He was majoring in Theology but before his freshman year could be completed, he was drafted into the army. He was drafted into the 82nd Airborne division, as a paratrooper. He was in special operations and many other covert areas.

He married Rose Marie Jones on August 12, 1967. They spent fifty-eight years together as one. As the years progressed, he never lost his love for becoming a Minister. He went back to complete his studies at Florida Memorial College. Earnest joined Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in 1982.  He was affiliated with several ministries within the church, which included Director of the B. T. U. Security Team, B. J. Lane Male Chorus and Deacons’ Ministry. He was ordained a minister in 2016 by Reverend Dr. R. L. Gundy.  He was also a member of the Masonic Family reaching the level of 32nd degree.

Earnest was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Johnson; mother, Hattie Johnson; brother, Doffice Johnson; and sisters, Sally Bryant and Hattie Pearl Brisker.

Pastor Johnson leaves behind to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife, Rose Marie Jones Johnson; his brothers, Ronald Johnson (Patricia) of McDonough, Georgia, Joseph Johnson (Patricia) of Panama City, Florida, and Bradford Johnson (Queen) of Panama City, Florida; his sisters, Loretta Douglas(William) of Miami, Florida and Undra Middleton (George) of Panama City Florida; sister-in-law, Bertha Mae Johnson of Panama City, Florida; his loving children, Eric Lee Davis, Sr. (Michelle) of Tampa, Florida, Bridget Baker (Alphonso) of Panama City, Florida, Me’chelle Oliver of Tampa, Florida, and Earnesta Leanne Johnson-Davenport of Jacksonville, Florida; his grandchildren, Jessica Lauren Davis, Eric Lee Davis, Jr., Ash Derek Johnson (Jade), Tasha Johnson, Mjay Chemont, Lawrence Curry, Jr., Morchelle Oliver, Timothy Malcom Mckenzie Williams III, Journee Imanii Leanne Davenport, Amariah Bella Mia Davenport, and Judah Nasir Lee Davenport; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of family and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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