Richard Everette Johnson, aka "Zeke", aka "BaBro", age 70, gained his heavenly wings on April 21, 2023. He was a longtime resident of Winston-Salem.

Richard was born in Iredell County on September 13, 1952, to the late Beulah Mae Johnson-Brown and John "Brother" Everette Morrison and reared by A.J and Geneva Scott Robinson. He graduated from North Iredell High School. After graduation, he moved to Winston-Salem to attend Winston-Salem State University. He was a retired employee of Hanes Dye and Finishing and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Zeke, with his boisterous laugh, witty comebacks, and beaming smile, was a staple in the Winston-Salem community. He is known for his love of all things sports related, and specifically for his avid fandom of the WSSU Rams and Dallas Cowboys. His extensive hat/cap collection and addiction to trash TV was a source of laughter in the house. Richard was loved by all for his calming spirit and willingness to help anyone in need, always with a smile. He served the Winston-Salem community by providing lawncare services for many years. As a testimony to the legacy Zeke leaves behind, he was inducted into the Reagan High School Hall of Fame in 2022, indicative of his lasting imprint on the school staff and students alike. He was truly a gentle giant among men.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mattie Morrison; stepfather, George Hampton Brown; brother, Carl Brown; sisters, Frances Wilkins and Flora Griffin; brother-in-law, Silas Harris; and nephew, Tyree Dalton.

Richard leaves to cherish fond memories, his wife, Shirley Johnson; chosen sons, Levoid "Lee" (Seredi) Dixon, of Mechanicsville, MD and Shaun (Toya) Dixon of Edgemere, MD; brothers, Jessie (Lisa) Brown, of Taylorsville, Johnny (Mary) Brown, of Charlotte, Samuel (Deneva) Brown of Waldolf, MD, David Brown of Statesville, and Glenn Morrison, Sr. of Cleveland, OH; sisters, Lavida Harris, Elaine Heaggans and Georgellen Brown, all of Statesville, Barbara Griffin Jones of Stoney Point, and Requa Ann Morrison of Cleveland, OH; grandchildren, Jimon Crawford of Winston-Salem, Ashaunti Dixon of Winston-Salem, Adonis Dixon and Maia Dixon of Mechanicsville, MD, Shaun Dixon. Jr. and Layla Dixon of Edgemere, MD; great-grandson, Eric Crawford of Winston-Salem; goddaughter, Nicole Hanna of Jacksonville, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Homegoing services will be held 12:00noon Thursday at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon Thursday at the Church.