We take this time to announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, Robert Hunter Johnson. Born on December 2, 1922, his remarkable 100-year journey in this world ended peacefully on August 28, 2023, and he has embarked on an even greater, eternal journey with God on the “other side.” He leaves behind a myriad of cherished loved ones and memories of that shared love.

The family’s home church, Jubilee Christian Church, will host the Homegoing Celebration on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at their Stoughton location. The viewing begins at 10:00 a.m., services start at 11:00 a.m. The repast will follow immediately thereafter. The church is located at 39 South St, Stoughton, MA 02072.

Robert's larger-than-life personality and his unfaltering positive outlook on life touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Even in his latter years, Robert's vivacity was contagious; every interaction with him was filled with amazing life stories that revealed lessons learned along the way about the value of hard work, getting things done, and a “no excuses,” unstoppable perseverance.

His 100-year story cannot be told in an obituary, but he deserves a narrative extensive enough to do justice to a long life, well lived – and there are moments that surely stand out. Robert was a hard worker even as a boy, hopping in a horse-driven cart every day to deliver ice to fill “ice boxes” in homes and businesses (because refrigerators were not yet an everyday item).

He never let the ever-present racism of the times crush his belief that hard work and dependability would open doors. He wound up managing the daily business affairs of a Jewish-owned store, including the cash register – a level of trust and responsibility largely unheard of for a black man in those days.

But in an all-too-common occurrence, racism would rear its ugly head and affect Robert’s life in a profound way. He wound up punching a young white man who called him the N-word. In an unexpected turn, the young man’s father, a man of some reputation, thought that the proper punishment for fighting in the street was to instead send Robert to fight in the army. Robert soon enlisted.

The outcome could certainly have been worse. And by Robert’s own admission, his military experience was the best thing that could have happened to him, and it would shape him into the man he would become. Serving for over 21 years, Robert fought in WWII as well as the Korean War. He finished his education and gained skills, experiences, and discipline that would prove invaluable. He served with distinction and was one of the few Black enlisted men to be promoted to the next highest rank. He was honorably discharged three times after re-enlisting twice.

Near the time when his military service was ending, Robert was introduced to his future wife by army buddies and friends who thought they had found his perfect match. They had. Robert married Ms. Mary Louise Jennings Christmas, an angel of the Lord who predeceased him in 2005. It was she who gave him the nickname “Chief” (and she was his “little squaw” – yes, that’s cute, and no, we don't know what any of it means).

Robert immediately became father to Mary’s two amazing daughters, Joyce Christmas Lewis (deceased in 2017) and Beverly Christmas Green. He and Mary had a daughter, Kimberly, and settled in Brockton, Massachusetts. His family referred to him as the unofficial “Mayor of Brockton” for making connections with anybody and everybody on everything.

Robert worked for General Motors for 15 years but also worked as a cab driver and chef to provide for his family.

Robert also supported various causes such as St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the American Red Cross, and Veterans’ groups.

Robert and Mary both loved hosting family members and friends for visits, Thanksgiving dinners, and 4th of July cookouts.

Robert loved traveling with his wife and family, but also by himself, well into his 90s. He especially liked Las Vegas. We cannot tell you what he did on his visits because – well, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”' His greatest adventure was his cruise to Alaska, also in his 90s. But one of his favorite recurring trips was to Atlanta to visit with his youngest grandkids whom he did not get to see often enough.

Robert’s interests were – “different.” If you drove with him in his car, you knew he was a country music fan (just like his beloved Mary). He enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes, but his oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip cookies were his claim to family fame. To the great “shame” of his children, but to the amusement of others, he enjoyed The Jerry Springer Show and The Maury Povich Show. He also had daily appointments with Judge Judy, Regis and Kelly (or Kelly and Michael, Kelly and Ryan, Kelly and whoever). Trivia shows like Jeopardy and (for those who remember) Hollywood Squares were among his favorites because he always relished an opportunity to learn something new.

But his greatest “free-time” interest was “no free-time” – he preferred “work time.” If you visited Robert Johnson at home, even at 100, he would likely be outside working on his car, his yard, his gate, his snowblower, fixing something (anything), trying out a new recipe, or organizing his immaculate tool shed. You would not see him on his roof because he was finally convinced, at age 95, that somebody else should probably do that – not because he couldn’t, but because it would make the rest of us feel better.

His commitment to doing something productive every day was likely the secret to his health and longevity. He woke up early, made his coffee and breakfast, and read The Globe and The Herald and the Brockton Enterprise EVERY day, and on occasion, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

He rode his bike EVERY day to the store to get his daily lottery ticket (no judgment). And he clearly enjoyed greeting people with a mischievous “Watch this,” before dropping to the floor to knock out ten push-ups, followed by several deep knee bends, then asking the person to guess his age. Nobody was ever close.

And yet, his favorite food was dessert. Not a specific food – just dessert, which he ate EVERY day, to the great joy of his youngest grandchildren. (They thought they could claim eating dessert every day was healthy and would help them live to be 100 and still do push-ups – NO!).

Ultimately, Robert's legacy is one of positivity, hard work, and embracing the possibility of life every single day. His loved ones will remember him with fondness and admiration, cherishing the special moments spent with him. Robert's passion for living life will forever inspire, guiding us to live a fully engaged life, just as he did.

Robert Johnson is survived by his children Beverly Green, Kimberly Johnson Samms (Gavin), grandchildren Annette Lewis Wilson (Robbie), Maxine Lewis, Kevin Lewis, Tyrone Lewis (Janice), Charmaine Lewis Alleyne (Gary), Angela Lewis Oranyeli, Antionette Lewis Foster (Kevin), Anthony Lewis (Helen), James ‘Sonny’ May, Kendra Greene; Donovan Samms, Alana Samms, Daniel Samms, and David Samms; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

His family can celebrate on this day because we know he is with the Lord, for Robert’s greatest achievement in his long life was claiming Jesus as his Lord and Savior on December 29, 2019. Robert is blessed and we are blessed because of him and his life. God bless you, Dad! We love you!

In lieu of flowers, we are asking those with a heart to do so to bless the family with donations to help cover unexpected expenses related to Robert Johnson’s transition. All donations thereafter will be donated to his favorite charities listed above. If you are so inclined, please visit: https://gofund.me/b1d69296