Madison "M.E." Estridge Johnson

Mr. Madison Estridge (M.E.) Johnson, 76, a native, lifelong resident of Lenoir County, passed away Wednesday, November 14, 2018.  M.E. was a N.C. National Guard member and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from N.C. State.  Upon graduation, he was a N.C. Agricultural Extension Service Agent in Pasquotank and Cumberland Counties before returning to Lenoir County to farm.  Most recently, M.E. was a PQA Advisor for Goldsboro Milling.  He served on the Lenoir County Soil and Water Conservation Board and was a nearly 50-year member of the Creasy-Proctor Masonic Lodge #679 A.F. & A.M. in Fayetteville, N.C.  He was an avid hunter, had a lifelong passion for music, and was an active participant in the Bethel Free Will Baptist Church choir.  He enjoyed playing golf and creating custom clubs for family and friends.   

Visitation will be at 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Garner Funeral Home followed by graveside services at 3:00 p.m. at Lane’s Chapel in Dover, N.C. with the Rev. Chris Truitt and Chad Donoho officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in M.E.’s name may be made to the Children’s Ministry at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church at 1936 Banks School Road Kinston, N.C. 28504 or online at http://www.bethelfwb.com/index.php.

M.E. was preceded in death by his parents, Laura West Johnson and Robert Edward Lee (R.E.L.) Johnson, Sr.; and brother, R.E.L. Johnson, Jr.  He is survived by his wife, Emmie Russell Johnson of Kinston, N.C.; his children, Victoria Rowena Johnson Coxon and husband Jed of Suwanee, G.A. and Madison Estridge Johnson, II (Ridge) and wife Teri of Charleston, S.C.; grandchildren, Chandler and Alexandra Coxon of Suwanee, G.A. and Camden and Starke Johnson of Charleston, S.C.; stepdaughter Beth Dudley of Fort Barnwell, N.C. and her children, Emily Dudley of Fort Barnwell, N.C. and Norman Dudley (Brint) of Richmond V.A..; sisters, Laura Little and husband Marvin of Greenville, N.C. and Lula Lewis of Garner, N.C., a brother, Louie Johnson and wife Terri of Greene County, N.C.; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family in Eastern N.C.