HAMPTON — Dennis Johnson, 75, quietly passed away in the early morning of Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after valiantly surviving a heart attack and several strokes.
Dennis, the youngest of four children, was born March 27, 1945, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When he was a young boy, he moved to Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, where he was raised by his grandparents and other family members.
In his early twenties, in search of better life opportunities, Dennis migrated from the Caribbean to Brooklyn, New York, in 1970. After a short while, he was contacted by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, from which he began studying God’s word the Bible. In the summer of 1973 at the Jehovah Witnesses Convention held at Yankee Stadium, he decided to dedicate his life to serving Jehovah by baptism on July 7. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life Sylvia, and her two wonderful children, Devona and Marc. Dennis and Sylvia were married on May 30, 1977, enjoying 42 years of marriage together until Sylvia passed away June 11, 2019.
For nearly 30 years, Dennis worked in the distribution section as a driver for the New York Times, retiring in 2001 after suffering a career ending injury while on the job. After 30-plus years in Brooklyn, Dennis and Sylvia relocated to Hampton, where they resided among family and friends. Although Dennis struggled with health issues, he regularly participated in the preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was an elder within the coliseum congregation.
During healthier times, Dennis enjoyed outdoor activities such as golf and fishing, and he loved classic westerns. Both he and Sylvia enjoyed international travel, and the fellowship of their spiritual brothers and sisters. Dennis’ quiet demeanor, and his ability to see the brighter side of things, silly comments and all, will be greatly missed. He believed in the Bible’s promise of a resurrection of the dead at Revelation 21: 3 and 4, “and God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Our family looks forward to seeing Dennis’ smile and hearing him laugh once again in the near future when “the former things will not be called to mind, and neither will they come up into the heart.” – Isaiah 65:17.
Dennis is survived by his two loving stepchildren, Devona and Marc; grandchildren, Bria Elizabeth Mukes, Malick and Niema Perrineau; Cory Thompson, honorary son; and a host of loving spiritual brothers and sisters who have enjoyed many good times with him and will remember him fondly.
Marc and I would like to express sincere thanks to Dennis’ caregivers, Sandra Jenkins, Marquetta Pope and Patrice Jenkins. You took excellent and loving care of him in his final months, and we are eternally grateful for your support.
We also extend our deepest thanks to the members of our loving brotherhood, family, friends and colleagues who took the time to provide friendship, encouragement, meals, texts and tender loving care for us in our time of bereavement.
There will be no formal service or calling hours at this time.
Share online condolences with the family at Cremation Society of Virginia.
