Elijah "Chubby" Johnson

All things come home at eventide and so it was with Elijah “Chubby” Johnson who quietly departed this life, Tuesday afternoon, December 27, 2022, at Life Care SECU Hospice Center in Bolivia, NC.

Born January 10, 1947, in Pender County to the late Annie Mae Johnson. “Chubby” grew up in Willard where he was reared by extended family – his now deceased Aunt Mamie and Uncle Jessie Brice.

He attended Willard Elementary School and later graduated from C.F. Pope High School.

Elijah enlisted and served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. He rose to the rank of Sgt. And was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Parachute badge and Marksman-M14 citation. Upon discharge from the Armed Forces, he returned home to work as a laborer.

A true outdoorsman, Chubby loved to hunt and fish. He spent most of his free time in the summer sitting on the bank of the Black River trying to catch his supper for the day.

During the winter months / hunting season, he could be found in the woods - hunting deer, rabbits, raccoons and whatever wildlife was available. Chubby was well known throughout the Willard and surrounding areas. He loved to talk and never met a stranger that he didn't get to know.

Mourning their loss while cherishing his memory: One Sister: Letha Johnson of Willard, NC; One Brother: Kyle Rocco Johnson of Willard, NC; Two Nieces: Tiffany Baltazar (Bernardo) and Kyla Dobson all of Duplin County, NC; One Nephew: George Johnson of Duplin County, NC; Two Aunts: Ruth Murray of Willard, NC and Dolores Murray of Brooklyn, NY; One Uncle: Glen Knight of Cape May, New Jersey and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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