HOLLISTER — Mr. Horace Johnson Sr., 78, of 36221 N.C. Highway 561, Littleton, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids.

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Horace Sr. was born March 25, 1931, to the late Tommie and Lizzie Thorne Johnson. He was reared in the house right across from his present home in Hollister, along with his siblings, Wilbert Johnson (deceased), Eva Johnson Jones (Baltimore) and Margie Johnson Slade (Atlanta). Two special nephews were also reared in the home, Donald Williams and George McClinton Williams.

Horace was the first of his siblings to go to college. He entered North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, graduating with a degree in agriculture and a minor in chemistry and biology. While at A&T, he also became a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. After college, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in the Korean War. After his military duty, he taught at Phillips High School in Tarboro, and later became employed with the Agricultural Research Center in Laurel, Md.

In 1961, Horace married his wife, Carolyn. He was often quoted saying he married her because, “she is smart and she needed me.” They were blessed with three sons, Horace Johnson Jr. (Linda), Dr. Keith Johnson (Shirley), and a son of the heart, Darry Scott (Melissa). He loved his grandchildren and they loved him. Vacations were often taken with the grandchildren, Vincent, Imani, Nia, Anika , Kelsey ,Logan, Darry Jr., Jahmaul and Tyvian.

He became quite active in the political arena, having the ability to tap into the human spirit and political psyche.  In 1992, he was elected and served as a Halifax County commissioner for 13 years, was undefeated, and only resigned after ill health prevailed.

The indelible mark he has left on humanity as a telling and an influential voice, a multi-dimensional individual, a family man, a life-time member of Pine Chapel Baptist Church, a trustee of the church for numerous years, and a stabilizing force of leadership in the community, will serve as his legacy for many generations to come. He has had a strong faith and could be uncompromising when he felt he was right. Yet, he was filled with unwavering hope.

God blessed him with a loving mother-in law, Doris Chase Cephas, devoted nieces and nephews , and the development of a special bond with his nephew, Kent Chase, who was his chauffer and traveling companion. He will be missed by his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and two devoted friends, Alexander Rudd and Gladys Reid.

Horace was always a gracious host and an inspiring voice that will be greatly missed, especially in the community he loved and cared about so much.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 12, at Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister, with the Rev. Robert Hedgepeth, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Chapel Memorial Garden. The body will repose at the church for 30 minutes prior to the funeral hour.

Robinson Funeral Home in Littleton is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.robinsonfuneralhomenc.com.