Corine Johnson Obituary

Corine Jenkins Johnson, 88, of Jesup, Ga. passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in Snellville, Ga. She was born November 05, 1936, in Walthourville, Ga. to the late, George and Pauline McDuffy-Jenkins. She was educated in the segregated public schools of Wayne County and graduated at the top of her class in 1955. She was also homecoming queen of the Class of 1955 at Wayne County Training School. After high school, she obtained technical certification from Waycross Technical College in 1968.

Corine was a faithful member of Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church for the past 70 plus years. During such time, she served as a member of Choir Number 2, the church missionary board, the pastor's aide committee, the church building fund team, and faithfully in her role as a Deaconess. She was the wife of the late, Deacon James E. Johnson, Sr.

Corine's employment and community service history includes: serving as a dental assistant in her initial work years in the late 1950's, as a Kirby vacuum cleaner agent in the early 1960's, as a Department of Family Services representative in Reidsville, Georgia in the mid 1960's, and she was amongst the first cohort of African American women hired at ITT Rayonier (now Ryam) in the early 1970's. It is here that she progressed to become the lead chemical lab operator and from which she retired after 30 years of service.

As it pertains to community organizations, Corine was a founding member of the Wayne County Branch of the NAACP, founding member of the Sisters Taking Action, and founding member of the Rosa Wiggs Chapter of the Eastern Stars.

Without question or pause, Corine was a loving and sweet person that earned the respect of everyone that knew or met her. She was always willing to help anyone in need and poured her heart and soul into her family, community, neighbors, and friends.

Corine was preceded in death by her parents, George and Pauline Jenkins; her loving husband of 54 years, James E. Johnson Sr., her sons, Gary L. Johnson Sr. and James E. Johnson Jr., and her daughter, Valerie M. Johnson Counts.

Those who remain to cherish her life and to continue her legacy include: her daughters, Latonya Johnson Murphy and Katonya Johnson King, and her son, Adair Tyrone Johnson, 10 grandchildren, as well as a host of great-grand and great-great grandchildren. No doubt, she will be forever missed .

A viewing will be on Friday, August 15. 2025 from 5pm - 7pm and on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 12 pm - 1 pm at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, 401 W. Pine Street, Jesup, GA. 31545.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 @ 1:00 pm at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, 401 W. Pine Street, Jesup, GA. 31545.

Family & friends are asked to wear any of the following colors or combinations: Lavender, Gray, Light Pink & White.

Repast will follow immediately after the homegoing services at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church social hall.

Burial will be in the Jesup City Cemetery immediately following repast.