Rocky Mount -

James Richard Johnson, age 88, passed away peacefully at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville on June 13, 2024. He was born in Edgecombe County on January 6, 1936, to Joe Ruffin and Mae Williams Johnson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna "Peggy" Johnson, who passed away on September 10, 2022; two sisters, Lula Mae J. Bulluck and Edna Earle J. Reynolds; and three infant brothers.

James is survived by his nieces; Beth B. Carter of Garner, NC, Betsy Bulluck and Mary Beth Dilday of Rocky Mount; nephews, James Taylor, Lane Carter, Will Bulluck, Robert Bulluck, and Jon Bulluck, and a number of great & great-great nieces and nephews, along with extended relatives and friends.

James was a devoted Christian who was strong in his faith.  He attended Oakdale Baptist Church all his life. He also enjoyed people coming to Pepper Lake to sit around and talk about the big fish that got away. James also made it into the Guiness World Book of Records in 2000, with the longest string of hot peppers that measured 1,274 feet long, with 22,173 pods. James would tell everybody "That sure was a hot job".

A service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11:00AM at Oakdale Baptist Church, 13037 US Highway 64 Alt W, Rocky Mount, NC 27801. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oakdale Baptist Church, 13037 US Highway 64 Alt W, Rocky Mount, NC 27801.