James R Johnson

James Roland Vernell Johnson was born January 22, 1936 to the late Alexander and Arnetia Johnson in the family home in Hustle, VA in Essex County. James was known to many as “Sunny”, a nickname many thought was his “government name”.

God took Sunny to his Heavenly Home on May, 27, 2026 in a peaceful way surrounded by his daughters, grandsons and granddaughters and great-grandchildren.

He joined First Baptist Church of Loretto at an early age where he served as Chairman on the Board of Trustees, was a member of the Men’s Choir and the Combined Choir. He was always willing to help others by providing his carpentry skills, which he took great pride in. He remained an active member of the church and its service to the community until his Homegoing.

He attended the public school system of Hustle until moving to Washington, DC in 1955. After he moved to Washington, DC he worked several jobs until he found the job best suited for him as a printer and photographer for the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) at Cameron Station Army Base in Alexandria, Virginia until his retirement in 1990.

He later met and married the love of his life, Cora Mae Lewis of Fredericksburg, VA on June 30, 1956. To this union, 3 daughters were born, Darnese Ferguson, Darlene Johnson, and Wyethia “Dodi” Staggers.

The family lived in Northeast Washington, DC until September 1973 when they moved to Kettering/Largo in Prince George’s County, MD where they reside to this day. He loved to travel within the United States as well as parts of Europe with his family, friends, parents, and in-laws.

Sunny leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Darnese Ferguson, Darlene Johnson and Wyethia “Dodi” Staggers all of Largo, MD; two grandsons, Erik (Tiffany) Ferguson of Largo, MD, and Brian (Ginaves) Ferguson of Clinton, MD; two granddaughters, Nikki Staggers of Largo, MD and Danielle Staggers of Baltimore, MD; four great-granddaughters, Kylie Thompson, Peyton, Laila, and Kaylee Ferguson and one great-grandson, Kyrie Ferguson, one sister, Ada Florine Moss, one brother-in-law, John E. Coleman of Fredericksburg, VA; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Lewis of Largo, MD, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

A viewing will be held at First Baptist Church Loretto (5340 Tidewater Trail, Loretto, VA 22509) on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11am; funeral service to follow at 12 noon. Bishop Darryl K. Williams will preside over the service. The Family will greet guests at the Repast immediately following the services in the Church Center. Online condolences can be submitted to www.bennettbrooksfuneralhome.com 

Family members and friends will have the ability to live stream the service on Facebook Live at http://www.facebook.com/fbloretto however due to the location internet service may not be accessible.