A Celebration of Life Service for Samuel Price “Sam” Johnson, 75 of Corinth, MS, will be Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00 P M at magnolia Funeral Home – South Chapel on Hwy 45 South with interment to follow in Magnolia Gardens. Jay Street, Roger Cox and Jim Allen will officiate the service. Visitation will be Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 12:00 P M until service time at Magnolia Funeral Home – South.
Mr. Johnson passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at his residence. He was born July 18, 1947 in Corinth, MS to William Warren Johnson, Sr. and Emily Dean Johnson. Sam was a member of Meeks Street Church of Christ. He was born and raised in Corinth and lived there with his wife Sherry of 49 years. In March 1985, he grew Mississippi 811 from its infancy to the established and influential organization it has become today. He served as Executive Director/President for 39 years until his retirement in March of 2023. He worked with several governors and countless lawmakers to help make Mississippi a safer place to live. Call before you dig “it’s the right thing to do” was his moto. Sam actively served in leadership positions for underground safety advocacy and educational organizations. Sam enjoyed boating, traveling, playing the guitar, was a licensed pilot and an avid Mississippi State fan.
Sam is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sherry Nichols Johnson; his daughters, Stacee Jobe (Mark), Stephanie Briggs (Russell), Season Ward (Ryan) and Sarah Johnson (Allen Gilreath); six grandchildren, John Mark Jobe (Miriam), Mary Kate Jobe, Blake Briggs, Briley Briggs, Hunter Ward and Rollins Ward; his brothers, Fredrick Dean Johnson (Dianne) and Paul David Johnson (Debbie); his sister-in-law, Joan Johnson; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of special friends. He was preceded in death by his father, W. W. Johnson; his mother, Emily Dean Johnson; his brothers, William Warren Johnson II and James Clay Johnson and his sister-in-law, Jan Johnson. Pallbearers will be Jerry Kennemur, Bill Rutledge, Charles Stallings, John Stallings, Bert Pickard, George Lewis, Phil Davis, Henry Grier and Jim Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Johnson and Fred Johnson. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Sacred Selections at sacredselections.org an organization close to his heart.