Joel Clayton Johnson, 27, of Valdosta died Monday, October 10, 2011, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Rev. B. J. Funk will officiate with burial to follow in Omega Cemetery. Adam Gaskins, Jared Reynolds, Josh Reynolds, David Huseman, Daniel Richardson and Elana Harper will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Mr. Johnson was born on May 6, 1984 in Arlington, Texas and was the son of Rev. Ronald Johnson and Debbie Sumners Johnson, both of Statesboro. He was a student and customer service representative. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mary and O.T. Sumners and his paternal grandfather, Donald C. Johnson.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Johnson is survived by two brothers and one sister-in-law, Joshua and Liz Johnson of Alpharetta and Justin Johnson of Valdosta; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Janna Hales of Tifton, Jeanine and Sean Spoors of Germany and Jessica and Adam Gaskins of Douglas; his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Johnson of Douglas; his girlfriend, Mellissa Kresal of Valdosta; five nephews, Gavyn Hales, Malachi Hales, Caleb Spoors, Colton Spoors and Cameron Spoors; and one niece, Elliana Hales.