Elder Mason Johnson

Pastor Elder Mason Johnson,  99, of Burgettstown, triumphantly went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday morning January 10, 2023.

He was born on March 17, 1923 in Newton, Mississippi the second child born to the blessed union of  Billy and Roberta Robinson Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama.

After honorably serving in the United States Navy from 1943-1945 as a Seaman First Class he followed his brothers and sister to Detroit, Michigan where he worked in the Automotive industry. After working in Detroit he moved to Pittsburgh where he worked as a crane operator for J&L Steel Corporation from where he retired. He and his family moved to Burgettstown where they made their home in 1975.

An accomplished and self taught musician, he played with many of the great jazz  musicians in Detroit and Pittsburgh before deciding only to use his musical talents to glorify God. 

A steadfast and true Servant, Elder Johnson was ordained by the late Rev. Samuel Williams and after his passing took over the leadership  of New Hope Church of God in Christ in Francis Mine where he preached and sang every week saving countless lives through his lifelong ministry.

Mason was an active member of the Burgettstown Area Senior Citizens Center where he offered daily prayers and benedictions. He also lead their bible study and blessed all his friends by singing and playing all their favorite hymns.

His beloved wife Katherine Lillard Johnson who he married in 1955 passed away on August 5, 2013.

He is survived by his son Mason Richard "Ricky" Johnson, Jr. and wife Rose M. Johnson of Washington, Pa; his granddaughters Aisha McCoy and husband James and Tara Armstead and husband Rev. Tony Armsted of Cecil Twp., Pa; great grandchildren Lance "L.J." Henderson, Jr., Leah Rose Henderson, Tony Armstead, Jr. and Tyler Armstead; nieces and nephews Aubrey Toson Jr. (Betty), Jerome Toson, Sydney Toson (Diane), Sylvia Toson-Moore, Evangelist Ramona Johnson-Berry (Larry), Artiss Johnson-Jackson (Robert), Marvin Johnson (Philistine), Gay Johnson-Sharp (Tommie), Linda Johnson-Robinson (Charles), Priggitte Johnson-Fronce, William J. Gordon, Dorothy "Dee Dee" Gordon, Johnnie L. Johnson Jr., Rommell, Pamela Johnson-Branch (Art), Pastor Elder Caralo Johnson (Sherry), Jeffrey, Anthony (Beverly), Emanuel (Aisha), Billy Ray (Nell), and Isaiah (Destini); 63 grand nieces and nephews, 50 great grand nieces and nephews; 14 (and 1 on the way) great-great grand nieces and nephews and 1 great great great grand.    

Deceased in addition to his parents and wife is his granddaughter Tosha Henderson (Surviving husband Lance); brothers Henry Johnson (Thelma), Frank Johnson (Delphine) and Johnnie L. Johnson (Mary Ann) and his sister Marie Johnson-Dawson (Cedric).  

 Family and friends will be received from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday January 17 in Slater Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. of BURGETTSTOWN, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, PA 15021 where Home Going services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 18, 2023. Interment with full military honors accorded by the United States Navy will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Burgettstown.  

Memorial Dontions may be made in his memory to his family.