A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again

Unknown Author

Nehemiah Eric Johnson died August 8, 2022. He was born on June 8, 1946 in Croft Hill Clarendon Jamaica West Indies to Joseph Johnson and Princess Priscilla Waters. He was the youngest of 14 Children born to this union.

He went up to elementary school, but was pulled out each harvest season to help cut and harvest cane. At the age of 12 he dropped out of school and started to learn the tailoring business and eventually opened his own shop in Jamaica. He told the story of having to move from home to a different parish where no one knew him so that he could make money. There he met his first wife Myrtle Burrell.

He was affectionately called Bedhas, Eric and Tailor by his family and friends.

When immigrating to the USA he learned, like so many immigrants, that the name on his birth certificate was different than his name. On his birth certificate it was Nehemiah Adolphus Johnson. When he became a naturalized citizen of the USA, he changed his middle name to Eric.

He worked for many well known stores such as Mens Wearhouse, Jos A Banks, Sax Fifth Avenue and John Wanamakers. He was dedicated to his craft and once walked in a blizzard to reach work. He fitted notables such as mayors, sports figures, actors, judges and ministers. He owned his own Dry Cleaning and Tailoring business for over 30 years in North Hills PA and opened a Clothing and tailoring store in Buffalo NY. He could size you up and tell you what size you were without measuring you.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. He was member of Crestmont Baptist Church and Served as an Usher and Sunday School Teacher.  While in Buffalo NY he was a proud member of the Calvary Baptist Church and upon moving back to Pennsylvania attended Bethel Deliverance International Church. One of his greatest joys was being a Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher. He loved sharing the word of God with others and wanted to go back to Jamaica upon retirement to sit on his front porch and evangelize to others.

He loved spending time with his kids and grand kids and would make sure that we would spend time together almost every Saturday as a family.

Eric departed this life on August 8, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mario Gwan (Deja) and 12 of his siblings. He leaves behind to cherish his memories his wife Marsha Douglas Johnson, His oldest Son Evan Johnson (Karleen), His oldest daughter Phillippa Johnson, His middle daughter Michelle Johnson, his youngest Son Eric Nehemiah Johnson and his grandchildren Joseph Hicks,  Pricilla Hicks, Aleiandra Johnson, Jianna Johnson, Nigel Gwan, Nyla Cox, Janaae Gwan, Elijah Gwan, Elon Gwan, Emori Gwan, his sister Elaine Rowe and a whole host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and friends.

Homegoing Celebration will be held August 19th 2022 at Bethel Deliverance International Church 2929 W Cheltenham Ave, Wyncote, PA 19095. The viewing will be from 10 am to 11am with the service following.