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The Rev. Charles A. Johnson II, 70, died Feb. 11 at Larkin Chase Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bowie, of complications after a stroke. He had been a resident of the center for 20 months. A Celebration of Life service was held Feb. 17 at First UMC in Hyattsville. The Rev. Mamie A. Williams officiated with participation by many pastors from the conference, including Bishop (retired) Forrest C. Stith and the Revs. Rodney Smothers, Joan Carter-Rimbach and Kevin Smalls. The Rev. George DeFord gave the eulogy.

Charles Albert Johnson II was born in Pomonkey in Charles County March 4, 1940, and grew up in Washington, where he graduated from Dunbar High School in segregated 1958. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1970 from Bowie State University, a master’s of divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary and a doctorate in divinity from New York Theological Seminary in 1980.

Johnson began his ministerial career at Woodville in 1972. In 1974, he became senior pastor at Hughes Memorial UMC until 1982. For six years from 1982-1988, he served Northwood Appold UMC, then was appointed to Sharp Street Memorial. In October 1991, he went on disability leave following a stroke, and retired in 2005.

Johnson was the fourth generation of  preachers in his family, and prior to his appointments, he assisted his father, the Rev. Richard J. Johnson, at Queens Chapel UMC and Ebenezer UMC in Southeast Washington.

In addition to his appointments, Johnson served on the Board of Governors of Wesley Seminary and on the Board of Directors of the Wesley Foundation at Howard University. He was a delegate to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 1984. He served on the Board of Ordained Ministers for the conference, and was vice president of the conference’s Division of Evangelism. He also held positions with several black pastors’ groups. At the conference celebration of the bicentennial, he portrayed Harry Hosier.

He and Vernette Williams were married in 1959 and had four children. The marriage ended in divorce. His son, Charles A. Johnson III, died in 1993.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Ann Conway Savoy Johnson; three daughters, Charlynne O. Johnson and Chrystal A. Johnson, both of Baltimore; and Caron A. Johnson of Landover; four grandchildren;  three great-grandchildren; and two step-children, Cara and Walter Savoy.

Condolences may be sent to Ann C. Johnson, 1800 Palmer Road, #217, Fort Washington, MD 20744. .

Memorial contributions may be made to Rev. Charles A. Johnson Scholarship Fund, checks payable to Morgan State University Foundation, and sent to Edgar A. Johnson, 12606 Woodmore N. Blvd., Bowie, MD 20720.