Rev. James Ephraim Johnson, age 74, of Hamburg, AR, passed away on Thursday, July 13 at Ashley County Medical Center.  He was a native of Thebes, AR.  He was a retiree of Georgia Pacific Chemical Plant and a Baptist minister for 56 years.  He was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hamburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Franklin-Johnson; two brothers, David and Rev. Joseph (JV) Johnson; two sisters, Martha Coleman and Mary Powell.  Rev. Johnson pastored the following churches: Gethsemane Baptist Church in Monticello, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Banks, Calvary Baptist Church in Louann and Mt. Gillard Baptist Church in Camden.  At the time of his death, he was pastoring New Starlight Baptist Church in Camden.  He was past moderator of the Ouachita District Baptist Association.  Bro. Johnson enjoyed fishing, gardening, leading people to Christ and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Betty Blakely-Johnson; one daughter, Lindy Choice (Michael) of Sumter, NC; five sons, Rev. Ephraim Johnson (Lisa) of Hamburg, Rev. James P. Johnson (Elizabeth) of Alma, Gregory Johnson of San Diego, CA, Christopher Johnson (Lori) of Colorado Springs, CO and Tavaris Johnson of Chicago, IL; two sisters, Eunice Schultz of Milwaukee, WI and Ruth Williams (Robert) of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

Service is Friday, 11:00am at Word Family Church in Camden with the Rev. Ephraim Johnson officiating. Pallbearers are Edward Hunter, Keithron Fogle, Jerry Banks, Johnathan Elliott, Johnny Elliott, Roderick McKinney, Chester Owens, Roosevelt Simpson. Honorary Pallbearers are Rev. Johnson's great grandsons. Burial will be in the Johnson Memorial Cemetery in Hamburg.

Visitation will be from 4:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday at the New Starlight Baptist Church in Camden.