Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Joseph Wayne Johnson, M.D., passed away on Dec. 29, 2021, after an extended illness.

Wayne was born on April 16, 1935, in Bessemer, Alabama. He grew up in Birmingham, attending Philips High School before earning his Bachelor’s degree from Howard College (Samford).

On June 20, 1958, he married Lenora Faulk of Dothan, and they were together until his passing. Wayne received his degree in medicine from the University of Alabama in 1960. He worked as a general practitioner for several years in Abbeville, Alabama, before moving on to practice in Andalusia, the town he would call home the last 53 years of his life. During the last 30 years, he worked in emergency medicine throughout South Alabama as well as in other capacities.

Wayne was a long-time deacon at First Baptist Church in Andalusia, and he taught a men’s Sunday school class there for many years. He was ordained as a minister as a young man but felt God was calling him to do missionary work through medicine. This took him to serve in Honduras, Guatemala, and the Philippines.

Wayne was an avid learner and was especially interested in religion, science, history, and genealogy. He loved laughing, watching Crimson Tide football, and occasionally smoking a good cigar. He even piloted small aircraft for a short time. Mostly, he wanted to do with his life what he felt God had called him to do, which usually consisted of serving others and being generally affable.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Finley Johnson; father, Joseph Winters Johnson; and brother, Robert Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Lenora Johnson; daughter, Suzanne Johnson Simmons; sons, Ken and Brooks Johnson; and grandson Campbell Johnson. He had an extensive family whom he loved very much and made countless friends who were indescribably dear to him.

There will be a memorial service at First Baptist Church Andalusia on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. followed by a fellowship time in the church fellowship hall.