Ray Earl Johnson

Ray Earl Johnson began in Houston, Texas on December 13th, 1941, as the fifth child born to the union of Curtis Johnson, Sr., and Rebecca Washington Johnson.  He departed this life on Tuesday, June 21st, 2022, at University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA.  He was 80 years old. 

Ray was a jack of all trades who unlike most people seemed to be a master of them all.  Proverbs 18:16 (ESV) declares, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.”  Ray’s horticultural and janitorial knack did exactly that with the business owners on Magazine Street and residents throughout the Milan Neighborhood to the point he was named, “The Mayor of Magazine.”

Ray Earl Johnson was primarily educated in the Orleans Parish school system and eventually graduated from the Jefferson Parish Adult Education Program.  After graduation, Ray transitioned directly into the workforce as a laborer and taxicab driver.  Once he landed the job as a longshoreman, Ray worked along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River with zeal until he retired after 25 years of dedicated service to the Port of New Orleans.  

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Johnson, Sr. and Rebecca Washington Johnson, his brother Curtis Johnson, Sr., his sisters Gloria Johnson Butler and Doris Johnson Datson, his set of twins Raynard and Renette Nobles, and his eldest granddaughter Renette Compton.  He is survived by his brother Alvin Johnson, Sr., his sister Clara Johnson Eugene of Houston, Texas, his two daughters Monique J. Brass and Raychell J. Richard and their husband Curtis J. Brass, Sr. and Anthony L. Richard, Sr.; six grandsons: Laron Williams, Curtis Brass, Jr. Christopher Brass, Raynard Nobles, Jr., Anthony Richard, Jr. and Ryan Richard; two granddaughters: Laronda Williams-Weber and Erica Temple; eight great-grandchildren: Andrew Compton, Suvih Nobles, Ariah Nobles, Nyomi Nobles, Trinity Williams, Lyric Weber, Trent Weber, Jr. and Tre’Ron Weber.  He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-law’s other relatives and friends. 

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the celebration of life services which will be held on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at Israelite Baptist Church located at 2100 Martin Luther King Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113.  The visitation will begin at 10 a.m., and the service will begin at 11 a.m.  Reverend Mark Napoleon officiating and interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery located at 4000 Norman Mayer Avenue, New Orleans, LA.  

Due to COVID – 19, it is recommended that everyone in attendance wear a facemask.

Funeral planning entrusted to ROBINSON FAMILY FUNERAL HOME 9611 LA – 23, BELLE CHASSE, LA 70037.  (504) 208 – 2119

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