2020 Resolution Gene Johnson

Gene F. Johnson
September 3, 1942 – January 16, 2020
Past President – 2011-2012

Gene Franklin Johnson was born on September 3, 1942, to Nelle Katherine Lovell and Curren Buell “Doc” Johnson. Nelle was the daughter of Martha Virginia Roark Moon Lovell and Pleasant Lewis Lovell, and she was the granddaughter of John Lewis “Jack” Roark and Victoria Darleska Conner. Gene also had a brother, Leon Mitchell “Phillip” Johnson, and a sister Nell Ruth “Buddy” Johnson Roark.

Gene’s local Johnson family originated in the Black Fox area of Cleveland, TN. The Johnson families of William Patrick and his son “Doc” had moved to Alabama in 1924, and farmed there for a few years. However, they were forced to move from Alabama due to a reduction in cotton allotment within the state, a boll weevil epidemic, and the destruction of fertile farmland by high water levels from the TVA dams. So in 1935, the Johnson families returned “home” to the Friendship Community as farmers. 

Gene lived in the Friendship Community most of his life, except for a few years in Chattanooga and twelve years in Hoover, AL. He graduated from Birchwood High School in 1960, and then from the University of Alabama with a degree in Business Administration and a major in Applied Sciences. During his career, Gene worked at three banks: First Federal S&L in Chattanooga, Fort Oglethorpe Savings Bank in Georgia, and AmSouth Bank in Birmingham. Gene began working at First Federal S&L in 1962, and retired from AmSouth Bank in 2007.

He was married for 37 years to Beverly Johnson, from East Ridge, TN. Sadly, she died in August 2012, after a lingering illness. In October 2014, Gene married Betty Jean. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, with a Masters Degree in Social Work, and was employed by the Department of Defense, Military Services, for 28 years. Betty Jean was working at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, when the terrorist plane crashed into the Pentagon. Thankfully, she worked in an area that was not “hit” and was not injured. 

Gene and Beverly had two children, Brett and Tyler, and one grandson, Curren Birch. Brett graduated from the University of Alabama and George Washington Law School and is employed at CA Medical Association. Brett and his spouse Mallory had their first child, Curren Birch, on April 10, 2019. They live in Sacramento, CA. Gene’s son Tyler graduated from Sewanee University of the South in Monteagle, TN. He lives in Hoover, AL, and is employed as a technical lead for a defense contractor.

Betty Jean also has two adult children. Dena, Betty’s daughter, sadly passed away from cancer in 2019. Dena and  her spouse Stuart Boles, lived in New Port Richey, FL. Betty Jean’s son Justin Hammack and his spouse Rebecca live in Huntsville, AL.

In October 2004, at the 46^th Roark-Conner Association (R-CA) Reunion, held in Chattanooga, TN, Gene and his wife Beverly attended their first reunion. As a first-time attendee, Gene and Beverly were warmly welcomed at the registration table by Joyce Roark Lane. Joyce introduced them to several of Gene’s kinfolk. Joyce was the key ingredient to Gene’s long-time R-CA relationship because she was so friendly and entertaining. He also remembers meeting David Roark (Gene’s mentor in high school) and Darwin Lane (a long-time friend of the Roark/Johnson family). During the next day’s program, David introduced Gene to John J. Roark, Bill Witt, Chuck Gross, and others. During the Saturday program John J. Roark asked Gene to give a presentation on his Grandmother Martha Virginia Roark Moon Lovell (granddaughter of John Lewis “Jack” Roark and Victoria Darleska Conner). Gene agreed to give a presentation at the 2007 R-CA Reunion. (See DVD #10 from Chuck Gross’s DVD Library.)

Additionally, Gene’s 2007 family presentation was created using the “new” Power Point computer program which Gene’s son Tyler directed. Chuck Gross seemed very pleased with Power Point compared to the former slide presentations. In 2008, Gene used Power Point to prepare Howard Scott’s family presentation on Frank Scott. In 2009, Gene assisted Marylyn Smith on her William Grover Roark family presentation, and a couple of other Power Point family presentations including Terry Lane’s presentation on Catherine Tennessee Connor.

In 2007, R-CA President Bill Witt asked Gene to chair the 2008, 50^th Reunion. Gene accepted and approached Howard Scott, Kenneth Gamble, and Peggy DeFriese McCallie about becoming members of the 2008 50^th Reunion Committee. They all accepted the awesome task. The “volunteer” Committee also included Faye Thompson, Verna Ellis, and Darwin Lane.

In 2008, Gene telephoned Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsay who proclaimed October 10-12, 2008, as the “Roark-Conner 50th Anniversary Weekend.” Claude’s proclamation is included in Faye Thompson’s wonderful “50^th Anniversary Scrap Book” which provides a wonderful account of the historic event. Faye also enthusiastically acted as a “telephone tree” operator and was responsible for many attendees. Gene continued to keep in touch with her. 

For the 2008 “Roark-Conner 50^th Anniversary” weekend, Cleveland City Mayor Tom Rowland sent a gracious “welcome” and “congratulatory” letter. At the Reunion, there were about140 registrations with 40 first-time attendees. Jenna and Carrol Mathews ensured that each attendee received a registration packet, complete with R-CA lapel pins stamped “Celebrating 50 Years – 2008.” Special 50^th anniversary watches were also sold. A 50th Anniversary brochure, a “Roark Homestead” brochure, and a 50^th Anniversary program for the “Salem Baptist Church History and Worship Program” were distributed. Howard Scott served as a tour guide and historian for the “Roark-Conner Heritage Tour and Map.” For the 50th Reunion, Gene Johnson, Howard Scott, and Chuck Gross had collaborated to develop the Heritage Trail Tour book featuring a self-guided tour of 37 sites of historical significance in the Birchwood area. Several R-CA members and friends, including Gene, placed 200 small American flags on the graves of “Roark-Conner” relatives. A Cleveland Daily Banner reporter interviewed Vice-President Bob Roark and Board guest Gene Johnson. On October 16, 2008, an article appeared in the newspaper.

From 2009-2010, Gene served as R-CA Vice-President and coordinated the reunions with President Bob Roark. After each reunion, Gene wrote a detailed summary of the reunions for the Newsletter. These summaries provided a wonderful, historical record of these reunions. For example, after beginning his two-year term as President in 2011, Gene highlighted the 2010 Reunion held at the Mountain View Inn. The theme was “Education,” and one key highlight was the new book, “Laura Belle Roark Shropshire – Her Life and Works.” Books were donated by the Shropshire family, and all proceeds benefited the R-CA. Author John J. Roark signed the book “Joseph Roark – His Life and Times” and the new Laura Roark Shropshire book. Saturday’s events featured a presentation by Marylyn Smith on the family of William Grover Roark. A hand-crafted replica of the village of Birchwood was provided by Sharon Roark Lovell and husband Jimmy Lovell, and a picture gallery of the Joseph Roark Homestead were two displays. Doris Thornton and Mildred Buie were honored as John J. Roark Distinguished Service Award winners. Pastor Ken Thornton, husband of Doris Shropshire Thornton, delivered the message on Sunday morning at the site of the old Salem Baptist Church, and Carolyn Roark led the congregation in song. During lunch at the Birchwood School, Marleita Carmichael was awarded the John J. Roark Distinguished Service Award by Carrol Mathews. The Joseph Roark Homestead, owned and renovated by Marleita Carmichael, was made available for touring.

While President in 2012, Gene shared memorable moments of the October 2011 Reunion in the Newsletter. At that reunion he met, for the first time, the person for whom he was named Gene, 3^rd cousin Imogene Holder Davis. Gene explained that, “sharing ancestral stories is common during reunions and many members cherish their family photographs. Sometimes, family photographs are difficult to locate due to deaths, relocations, fires, and scarcity of ancestor photos.” Gene had been unsuccessfully searching for photos of his Aunt Dollie Talley and Uncle Ralph Johnson and other Talley/Johnson photos. On Saturday night, he met Frances Finegan and her husband Paul from Decatur, GA, and discovered Frances Johnson Finegan was his 1^st cousin, a daughter of his Dollie and Uncle Ralph. Gene asked Frances if she had photos of her parents, and Frances sent photos of Uncle Ralph and Aunt Dollie to Gene which he appreciated!

In January 2012 Newsletter, Gene wrote a wonderful tribute to Darwin Lane who had to cut back on his R-CA involvement due to health issues. Gene said Darwin is, “a dependable and loyal member, and always willing to serve in any capacity when asked.” In the tribute Gene described some of the contributions Darwin made to the R-CA over the years.

Another memorable moment for Gene was during the 2012 Reunion. Gene was honored to present the John J. Roark Distinguished Service Award award to Faye Thompson and Jenna Mathews. They were recognized as recipients of the Award for all the hard work they had done for the R-CA and for their contributions to the success of the annual reunions.

In the January 2013 Newsletter, incoming Connie Roark Perrin wrote, “Gene has been a true servant for the Roark-Conner Association for many years. I first worked with him on the 50^th Reunion celebration, and it was incredible all the wonderful activities he was responsible for spear-heading. It was a privilege to work with him as his VP, and I am confident he will continue to contribute in significant ways to our organization.” As predicted, Gene did go on to make additional contributions. In 2014, after searching unsuccessfully for the site of the old, lost Clingan Cemetery in Bradley County, he finally located it. Gene recorded his experience in the September 2014 Newsletter. This followed with a Clingan Cemetery cleanup effort by Connie, her husband Steve, and other family members. John J. Roark then researched and published a history of the Clingan Cemetery in the January 2016 R-CA Newsletter. The old Clingan Cemetery contains the grave of A. A. Clingan, who was closely associated with two of the Roark families in the early settlement of the “The Ocoee District” in southeast Tennessee.

Gene had personally surveyed thirty-eight (38) cemeteries in the Birchwood and Friendship communities. Gene said he enjoyed the peaceful serenity of his cemetery visits and documenting his efforts. Gene has also provided photos and information on local cemeteries to Chuck Gross.

In May 2016, Gene and Betty Jean traveled to Texas on a 12-day trip to visit Faye Thompson, Carrol and Jenna Mathews, John and Aggie Roark, and Larry and Verna Ellis. Gene and Betty enjoyed the visits and discussions. As we age, travel to a reunion becomes difficult. Gene always encouraged R-CA members to maintain contact (calls, cards and letters) with members that have difficulty traveling or have health issues. Gene and Betty Jean enjoyed their trip to Texas and Gene treasured his memories of the visits with Faye, Carrol, Jenna, John, Aggie, Larry & Verna.  

Gene and Betty Jean continued attending reunions and supporting the R-CA. Also in 2019, Gene provided valuable public relations information for the 61^st Reunion. Gene and Betty also helped coordinate arrangements for the TN Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (TNSSAR) to access the Conner Cemetery for an event to recognize two patriots buried there. One of the patriots honored by the TNSSAR event was Gene’s 3^rd Great Grandfather Thomas Palmer, Sr. While Gene was R-CA Vice-President and President, he wrote many insightful messages for the Newsletters. Gene’s messages are chock-filled with interesting personal and historical anecdotes which he continued to enjoy sharing with R-CA members throughout the rest of his life.