SOUTHERN HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
1000 HODGESVILLE ROAD
DOTHAN, ALABAMA 36301
334-702-1712
Joseph L Johnson lost his courageous battle with cancer on Saturday evening July 5, 2025.
Joe, an Alabama football fan, avid golfer, an Atlanta Braves fan was born in Panama City, Florida, to Joe and Anne Johnson. He remained there and graduated from Bay County High School in 1973. He then went to Enterprise State Community College on a baseball scholarship and later to Auburn University in Montgomery to complete his baseball career. He transferred to Troy State University where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated in 1975. He returned to Panama City and worked for Colonial Bread Company as a route salesman. In 1981, Joe entered Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. During an internship in Houston, Texas in 1983-1984, he met and married Pamela (Pam) Sue Dammann and relocated to Columbia for his senior year of seminary, graduating in May 1985.
Ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament in 1985, Joseph Johnson served two Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations: Associate Pastor, Summerville Presbyterian Church, Summerville, SC (1985-1990) and Pastor, Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Dothan, AL (1990-2023). He retired from active ministry on July 31, 2023.
Joseph held a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree (focus: Sacramental Theology), both from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Joseph discovered delight in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and community service, all of which led to a deep concern for those in our world who struggled and celebrated issues of life.
Serving the larger Presbyterian Church was a passion of Joseph’s. He enjoyed working with Councils of the church as they discovered Vision and Strategy priorities for ministry. Joseph served the Presbytery of South Alabama as Moderator, a member of the Vision Division, and as chair of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Mostly, he served as chair of the Nomination Committee charged with calling a Regional Presbyter to serve South Alabama and Mississippi Presbyteries.
Joe felt a sense of pride in having served as a delegate representing his district at the 2024 DNC national convention. He also served on numerous community boards, including Wiregrass United Way and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce boards. He was currently serving on the Board of Wiregrass 2-1-1. In addition, he served as Moderator of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Home for Children, Talladega, AL. Joseph previously served on the Presbyterian Church (USA) Self-Development of People Committee, a national and international funding partner for communities struggling with poverty and economic oppression. He served SDOP for 2 terms as Chair of the National Committee. Joseph’s past community service included serving on the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the United Way Board of Directors, and the Quality of Life Task Force of ENVISION Dothan. In retirement, Joe served as the Executive Director of The Herring Houses of Dothan, a residential treatment agency serving clients with substance abuse issues.
He was wed to Pamela Dammann Johnson, a dental hygienist and a devoted advocate and helper in his ministry. They cherished the companionship numerous cocker spaniels. Presently, two cocker spaniels, Hannah and Abby. Joe and Pam recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joe L. Johnson II and Anne John Johnson of Panama City. He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Johnson, brother, David Johnson, nephew, Sean Johnson, aunt, Betty Dickinson John, and cousins, Susan John Halliday (Patrick) and children & Nancy John Bone and children.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday July 10, 2025 at 2:00pm at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 205 Holly Ln., Dothan, AL 36301
There will be a visitation with the family immediately following the service at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Joe Johnson to:
The Herring Houses of Dothan
101 N. Herring St
Dothan, Alabama 36303
(334)669-3175
