Shawn Lorean Johnson, Sr. was born on February 9, 1947 in Washington, DC. He was the first born son of the late Mr. Lorean L. Johnson and Mrs. Beatrice Perry Stevenson. He passed away September 6, 2014.

Shawn's pre-teenage years were spent in Chatham County, North Carolina. He was influenced heavily by his grandmother, Mrs. Cora Dowdy Perry. "Ms. Cora" didn't play so he quickly learned the lessons of love, respect, and accountability. After receiving a good foundation from his Chatham County days, he was ready for the big city.

He was moved to Washington, DC to be with his mom, Beatrice Perry Stevenson. There he was raised with his three brothers, Al, Rudolph, and Mark.

He graduated from Spingarn High School in 1964. During his time at Spingarn he played his two favorite sports, football and baseball.
After high school he joined the United States Army for several years. His time in the Army wasn't just about serving his country proudly. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Ms. Olympsie Sims. They were married for 44 years.

After his Army days he joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC for 17 years. During his time on the force he moonlighted as a Disc Jockey. He would spin records at events such as wedding receptions, birthday parties, and holiday parties. Policing during the day and spinning records at night prompted him to often use the phrase, "I turn nothing down but my shirt collar".

Shawn was very outspoken and never met a stranger. Most people who knew him always budgeted a little extra time when they were going to engage in conversation with him.
Shawn had a tremendous passion for cooking. He acquired his cooking skills from his mom Beatrice. He used to always brag about his mom's cooking and would often try to duplicate it.
Anyone who knew Shawn was probably well aware of his skills in the kitchen and on the grill.

Shawn turned his life over to Christ in March of 1991 as a member of Galilee Baptist Church in Suitland, Maryland. In 2004 Shawn and his wife decided to leave Washington DC and seek a slower lifestyle in Greensboro, NC. First order a business was to find a church home. His former pastor Loyd T. McGriff suggested they look up Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Jr. in Winston-Salem, NC. Shawn & his wife joined Union Baptist Church in 2005 and the rest is history.

He leaves to cherish his memories his beloved wife, Olympsie Johnson; his son, Shawn Johnson, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC; two brothers, Al Johnson and Rudolph Stevenson of Washington, DC; one sister, Alease Riley of Durham, NC; one "Special Mother", Ida LeGrand of High Point, NC; three "Special Sisters", Mona, Vonzella, and Hattie; one "Special Daughter", Rokesha Bowser of Greensboro, NC; two "Super Nieces", Tracy Wallace of Fort Riley, KS and Tammy Barnes of Little Rock, AR; he also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews of Arkansas, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30am Friday, September 12, 2014 at Union Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Jr. officiating. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 11:30am on Friday at the Church.