Ira Johnson

Funeral services for Ira C. Johnson,90, was held Friday, March 24 10 a.m. at the Port Hudson Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana. A Memorial service followed Saturday, March 25 at 1pm. 

Ira Collins Johnson, passed away peacefully at his home in Jackson, Louisiana, on Monday, March 13, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born April 28, 1932, the last child of eight born to the union of Rufus Ewing Johnson and Elvira Colvin Johnson of Farmerville, Louisiana. 

After graduating from Union Parish High School in 1951 he joined the United States Military. Early in his career while stationed in Michigan he met the love of his life, Hilda Noflin, who was also from Louisiana. The two were married October 3, 1959 and to their union six children were born. While in the military Ira made sure that his family stayed together on each of his tours of duty to Greece, Germany, Texas, Michigan and California.

Upon retiring after serving 25 years, Ira returned to Louisiana with his family. He was employed at the Dixon Correctional Institution in Jackson, La. He and Hilda also lovingly opened their home to foster their love and attention to 50 children throughout the years. He made sure that our home was one of warmth, love, happiness and security.

One of his favorite scriptures was Ruth 1:16, “for where you go I will go, and where you spend the night, I will spend the night. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”

Ira enjoyed farming his land, raising cows, BBQ grilling, family gatherings, listening to his jazz album collection, taking trips to Farmerville to visit family and friends, keeping in touch with his lifelong comrades and homeboys who became like brothers to him and he especially loved spending time with his grand and great grand children.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hilda Noflin Johnson, his daughter Cassandra McKnight of Baton Rouge, La; son Andrea(Cindy) of Baker, La; daughter Renate Harris(Stanton) of Tanzania East Africa; daughter Adrianne Rhonda of Zachary, La; son Ira Jerome(Tammy) of Baker, La; and daughter Athena Odette of Jackson, La. Five grandchildren  and seven great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Ira was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers: Rufus, ZollieJohnson, Lee Andrew Johnson and SheppardJohnson; 3 sisters: Georgetta Ward, Gracie Kelley and Thelma Gafford. And his great grandson Jarvel Abuwi.