Shirlyon "Wayne" Johnson

Shirlyon “Wayne” Johnson, 72, of Durham, North Carolina passed away suddenly on Friday, September 8, 2023, at his home.  He was born on October 7, 1950, to the late Woodrow Wilson Johnson and Sallie Louise Elliott Johnson.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Woodrow Wiley Johnson, and sister; Peggy Johnson May.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Cynthia “Cindy” Parnell Johnson; daughters, Courtney Johnson, and Jennifer Johnson; brothers, James Johnson (Judy) and Tommy Johnson (Diane); brother-in-law, Harrison May, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Wayne was a faithful and longtime member of Bethesda Baptist Church. He worked many years at The University of North Carolina in the Exercise & Sports Science Department as an Equipment Attendant until his retirement in 2016. Wayne was a huge sports fan. He thoroughly enjoyed watching basketball, baseball, football, and NASCAR. He was an avid UNC Tarheels fan. In the 70’s and 80’s, he proudly coached boys’ basketball and baseball at the Oak Grove Athletic Association.

Wayne was a history buff and an extremely intelligent man. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading history & western books. He would also be seen watching Jeopardy (every night), Westerns, and the History Channel. Wayne was very witty and always had a “dad joke” for you. He was an exceptionally kind and social man, who you could find speaking with anyone he came across. He will be remembered as a loving husband, daddy, brother uncle, and friend.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Hudson Funeral Home & Cremation from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Bethesda Baptist Church, 1914 South Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703 at 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Officiating will be Rev. Jonathan Barbee, Rev. Hugh O’Shields, Rev. Mark Parnell, Rev. Rodger Roach, and Rev. Dr. Tyler Roach. 

Serving as Pallbearers will be Chris Campbell, Curtis Dunn, Caleb Parnell, Michael Parnell, Ray Parnell, Austin Poole, Jeff Poole, and Tyler Roach.