Henry Herbert Johnson, 98, of Hickory, Mississippi, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020. He was born Wednesday, December 21, 1921 in Vaiden, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Newton County Funeral Home- North with funeral services immediately following. Burial will follow in Newton County Memorial Gardens. Dr. Randy Rich and Bro. Rodney Anderson will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (601) 635-3200.

On December 12, 1921, Henry Herbert Johnson was born, the only child of Louis Henry and Cora Melinda (Lynn) Brock Johnson in Vaiden, MS. He graduated from Vaiden High School and on July 2, 1949, at the age of 28, he married Gladys Mae Eddins, who was the daughter of Roy and Vivian Eddins. On April 25, 1953, Herbert and Gladys had their first child, Billy Bert Johnson. Then, on February 12, 1957 Gladys gave birth to their second son, Raymond Louis Johnson. Herbert believed in family, fun, hard work, and service to his church and community.

Herbert's first real job was with Independent Linen Service, delivering uniforms all over north MS. After several years, he began his career with Mississippi Power where he worked as a meter reader for over 15 years.  During this time, he and Gladys saved money and bought property west of Vaiden; they built a new house and began their dream life of full-time living on the farm.

Herbert believed in family and provided for his family very well. He also believed in having fun with his family and teaching his two boys to hunt and fish. He made sure they had the most wonderful childhood growing up on the farm that any two boys could ask for. He also believed in hard work. They had cows in the early years on the farm and there were always fences to build, cows to work, and a large garden during the summer. In the late 60's, he began growing soybeans and cotton on a large scale.

Herbert served the Vaiden community as president of the rural water association and as president of the Carroll County Farm Bureau Federation. He also served Vaiden Baptist Church as deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. In the late 80's, he retired from farming and moved to Hickory, MS in 1996. Gladys passed away in 2007 after they celebrated 58 years of marriage. Today they are back together, holding hands while walking the streets of gold.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Mae Johnson and his parents, Louis Henry and Cora Melinda Brock Johnson.

Survivors include his sons, Billy Johnson (Pam), Raymond Louis Johnson (Pat); grandchildren: Michael Cory Johnson, Missy Johnson (Casey), Lila Leach, Anita Young, and Timothy Shirley; nephews, Donald Wynn Eddins and Bobby Johnson; niece, Victoria Pounds; great-grandchildren, Braden Johnson, Carter Johnson, Bristol Johnson, Allie Leach, Katie Leach, Lillie Leach, Hannah Terry, Hailley Young, and Chynna Burk.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Schellbach, Herbert Lee Harris, Waddell Everett, Joey Murphey, Charles Ellis, and Bobby Noah.

Honorary pallbearers will be Don Stamper, Tony Adams, and Mac Fanning.