Vernal Johnson

Vernal Johnson, 60, of Kingsport, passed away Monday night, April 27, 2009, at Wexford House after a long battle with diabetes. Mr. Johnson was a mechanic for Colonial Heights Exxon for over 30 years. He loved gospel/bluegrass music, cars and most of all, his grandchildren and great-grandson. Vernal was a kind, loving and generous father and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death his father, Carl Lloyd Johnson.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Davenport and husband Danny of Fall Branch; son, Michael Johnson and wife Jennifer of Kingsport; mother, Estelle France of Gate City; brothers, Frank Johnson and wife Delores of Kingsport and Carl Johnson and wife Bertha of Kingsport; sisters Helen Babb and husband Jimmy of Ft. Blackmore, Virginia and Dinah Kerns of Gate City, Virginia; grandchildren, Noah Johnson, Bradley Davenport, Porsche Compton and Heather Davenport; great-grandson Riley Hotrod Compton; two special boys he loved as grandchildren, Zach and Brendan Stapleton; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 29th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch Chapel, or anytime at the children's residences. Services will be conducted following visitation at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Billy Wayne Arrington officiating and singing by Kenneth Davis.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Oak Glen Cemetery, Fall Branch. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oak Glen Baptist Church.