78R17790 MDM-D

By:  Dutton                                                       H.R. No. 1550



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of the Reverend Oliver Charlton "O. C." 
Johnson, Sr., on January 21, 2003, at the age of 67, has deeply 
saddened not only his family but also his many friends and admirers 
in the Houston community; and
	WHEREAS, Born on February 20, 1935, in the Bayou City to the 
Reverend Leroy Johnson and Pearl Johnson, he was particularly close 
to his uncle and aunt, Ben and Inez Johnson, who helped raise him; 
he was a graduate of Booker T. Washington Senior High School and 
went on to earn a four-year certificate from Bishop College in 
Dallas and a bachelor's degree in theology from Union Theological 
Baptist Seminary; and
	WHEREAS, He answered the call to the ministry in 1958 and 
pastored several Texas churches over the course of his career 
before embarking on his 38-year tenure as the spiritual leader of 
Lyons Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Houston; and
	WHEREAS, A gifted vocalist as well as a dynamic preacher, 
Reverend Johnson was featured on many religious recordings, 
including "Poor Jesus," "Wonderful," and "Precious Lord"; and
	WHEREAS, This highly regarded clergyman worked in behalf of 
his faith with both the Home Mission Board of the National 
Missionary Baptist Convention of America and the Independent 
Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas, which he had 
served as secretary; and
	WHEREAS, Reverend Johnson married the former Faye Marie 
Bennett on June 15, 1957, and the couple were richly blessed with a 
fine family including three daughters, two sons who have answered 
the call to the ministry, and 13 grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, Oliver Charlton Johnson, Sr., was a faithful pastor 
and devoted family man who inspired the members of his church and 
community; he will long be remembered for his compassion, devotion, 
and service to God; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Reverend Oliver 
Charlton "O. C." Johnson, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to his 
wife, Faye Marie Johnson; to his daughters and sons-in-law,
Carletta and Edmond Moss, Andrea and Reginald Johnson, and Carla 
Faye and Durst Roland Cage; to his sons and daughters-in-law, the 
Reverend O. C. Johnson, Jr., and Cathy Johnson, and the Reverend 
Orestes Johnson and Stephanie Johnson; to his grandchildren; to his 
siblings, Katie Murchison and her husband, O. C., Elizabeth Faye 
Duncan, and Glen and Eddie Johnson; and to all those who mourn the 
passing of this beloved man; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the 
Reverend Oliver Charlton Johnson, Sr.