Shirley Johnson

Shirley Johnson, age 89, of Versailles, Kentucky, passed away peacefully Monday, July 17, 2023.  Born Wednesday, January 10, 1934, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Walton & Rosie Dishon Johnson.  Shirley was the widower of the late Janice May Montgomery Johnson, whom he married Thursday, August 26, 1954, and preceded him in death Friday, September 6, 2019.  At an early age, Shirley was scouted by the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.  Shirley was a US Army Veteran, who served during the Korean Conflict.  While in the Army, he also played baseball for the military team.  Shirley was a Charter Member of Gardenside Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and started the Bus Ministry for the church.  After 34 years of work, he retired as a Technician from IBM.  Shirley was a member of Broadway Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and enjoyed hunting with his hounds, in his spare time.  Shirley will be remembered for the love he had for God, his wife, children, grandchildren, and church. 

Shirley leaves behind two daughters, Dana Steffey (Dennis) of Versailles; Lisa Galvin (Patrick) of Lexington; three grandchildren, Hope Noe (Warren) of Versailles, John Michael Cruz of Lexington, and Faith Steffey of Versailles; one great-granddaughter, Loyatte Noe; and numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members and friends who mourn his passing.

In addition to his wife and parents, Shirley was preceded in death by infant twin sons, Terry Lynn Johnson and Jerry Glynn Johnson; five brothers, Harold Dean Johnson, Elmer Lloyd “Keno” Johnson, Orville Louis Johnson, Ernest Johnson, and Lester Johnson; and three sisters, Stella May Beatty, Matrie Ruth Coffman, and infant Vera Johnson.

A Public Visitation will be held 10:30AM-12:00PM Monday, July 24, 2023, at Broadway Baptist Church, 2500 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40503. 

A Public Funeral Service will be held 12:00PM Monday, at the church.  Dr. Daniel G. Ausbun will officiate the service.  The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Shirley’s memorial page of the funeral home’s website. 

A Public Graveside Service & Burial will be held 3:00PM Monday, at Buffalo Springs Cemetery in Stanford, Kentucky. 

Dennis Steffey, Patrick Galvin, John Cruz, Warren Noe, Jim Syvarth, and Lewis Ray Beatty will serve as Active Pallbearers.  Bro. James Heard, Bro. Raymond Bishop, James Singleton, Bill Day, Marvin Reed, Jason Marshall, Kevin Marshall, Tanner Syvarth, Patrick Singleton, and Gregg Taylor will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. 

Memorial Contributions suggested to Broadway Baptist Church, 2500 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40503. 

Fox & Friend Funeral Home, Stanford, is entrusted with Shirley’s arrangements.  Guest Book at www.friendfuneralhomes.com.

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