R. L. Johnson

R. L. JohnsonMulhearn Funeral HomeWest Monroe, LAFuneral Services for Mr. R. L. Johnson, 90, of West Monroe, LA will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe with Rev. Allen Eppinette and Rev. Clarence Powell officiating. Interment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA.Mr. Johnson was born October 31, 1925 in Morehouse Parish to the union of Joseph Hardy Johnson and Emma Lucretia Buffington and passed away December 26, 2015. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Monroe. Mr. Johnson was a hard-working man, graduating high school to join the U. S. Navy, in 1941 and served in WWII. After his service he married the love of his life, Earline Eppinette. They shared a life of love for 70 years on Christmas Eve and he passed from this life to be with his heavenly father and his only son, Ronnie just two days later at Glenwood Hospital in West Monroe.R. L. served 4 years in the U.S. Navy then held two or three jobs to provide for his family. He was a school bus driver for Ouachita Parish School System, a bread truck driver with routes close to Bernice, then joined the Monroe Police Dept. in 1951 serving for 32 years and becoming Asst. Chief of Police and served as interim chief under 3 different Mayors. The day after his retirement he was hired by Monroe Traffic Eng. and served 10 years. He was a member of the Police Association and lifetime member of the VFW.R. L loved more than anything his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and his wife, Earline Eppinette of Jones, LA. The two met at their Alma mater which was Bonita, LA. Earline worked for the telephone company in her yearly years, was a homemaker and drove a school bus for Ouachita Parish School System for 32 years.After retirement, Dad enjoyed working on old cars and restoring them to pristine condition and giving one to each of his 3 children. Then doing others for him and Earline to show at many shows where they received many recognitions and awards for them. Dad was well known and loved by his family and many friends from 3 car clubs, serving as Deacon of his church, the last being First Baptist of Monroe. He enjoyed serving his Lord with his life and reading His word many times through, the latest just starting over this past week, where he the comment to Earline, ' well, Im in all the begats again'. Preceding R. L. in death are his parents; his only son, Ronnie Lynn Johnson; 3 brothers, Leon, Roy and Edwin; 4 sisters, Audrey, Erma, Bertie, and Myrtle. His memory will live forever in the lives of his loving wife, Earline Johnson; his children, daughter, Linda Jean Bruce, husband John, of West Monroe; daughter-in-law, Emma Dale Johnson of Monroe; and daughter, Patricia Ann Collie, husband Terry of Calhoun; grandchildren, Kathy Green, husband Troy, John Bruce, wife Diane, Todd Johnson, wife Tracy, Kim Williams, husband Ron, Kimberly Pfingston, husband Scott, Michelle Sadler, Donna Gayle Collie, and Bryan Collie, wife Jana; great grandchildren, Jayden, Bryan, Jackson, Lauren, Casey, Gabrella, Makayla, Leigh Ann, Chandler, Nicolas, Garrett, Meredith, Haden, Rylee Jane, Chaston and Chanley, Nathan and Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Herbert Otwell, Billy Wayne Clark, Billy Wayne Kemp, Tom Jones, Charles Huggins and Hank Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be all police personnel. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com