WAYNE "SHOT" JOHNSON SR.

February 23, 1951 - July 10, 2023

Wayne “Shot” Johnson Sr was born on February 23, 1951, in Birmingham, Alabama to
Samuel and Annie Ruth (Hill) Johnson. In this union thirteen children were born. Wayne
“Shot” as everyone called him was the youngest child. As a young child growing up in
Birmingham, Alabama “Shot” loved being around his family. He also enjoyed playing,
walking to the store with his mother and spending time on Siemen Hill. He accepted
Christ at an early age.

“Shot” graduated with honors from Wenonah High School in Alabama Class of 1968 at
the age of seventeen. After graduating from high school, he thereafter moved to Gary,
Indiana to be close to his siblings in 1969. That same year, “Shot” met the love of his life
Joann Powell. Wayne “Shot” and Joann started dating after living next door to one another as
neighbors. On June 4, 1971, Wayne “Shot” Johnson and Joann were married, and in
their union 5 children were born. He united with Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church
under the leadership of Pastor Morris Stokes Sr. in 1982. “Shot” was mechanically
inclined.

He worked at East Ore Docks as a laborer at the Gary US Steel Mill for 12 years.
“Shot” had a love for cars and took a liking into repairing them. His hobbies were
shooting pool, spending time with friends/family, painting and repairing homes.
On September 10, 2013, he became medically ill. The family came together and began to
pray for healing and regained strength. At that time, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre
Syndrome, a disease that causes the Immune System to attack part of the peripheral
nervous system. After years of therapy and mobility assistance, he recovered from some
of his most difficult challenges. 

On July 10, 2023, at 11: 40 pm surrounded by his family, “Shot” was called from labor to
reward. He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Annie (Ruth) Johnson, wife,
Joann Johnson, daughter Waynetta Johnson, brothers, Samuel Johnson, Willie Johnson,
Tom Johnson, Charles Luke Johnson, George Lee Johnson, Robert Johnson; sisters,
Louise Johnson (Morris), Tiny Tina Mae Johnson, Sussie Johnson (Chinn), Pearl
Johnson, Ruth Johnson (Jackson), Father and Mother in love, Isaac and Lizzie Fuller;
granddaughter Miracle Johnson.

He leaves to cherish four sons: Charles (Ruby) Smith of Michigan City, Indiana; Wayne
Jr(Shalonda) Johnson; Derrick (Shanta) Johnson; Damien (Letoya) Johnson all of Gary,
Indiana; loving brother: Rufus (Brenda) Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama; sister-in-law
Sally Ruth Biddings; three brother-in laws; Robert (Liz) Fuller; Isaac Fuller Jr., and
Michael Biddings; 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, sister/niece, Ernestine Tucker and host of special nieces and
nephews. Special friends John and Catherine Burnett, Al Beckler, Eastside partners, and
other close friends.