Edgar Johnson

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Edgar J. Johnson, 96, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 8 a.m. Feb. 26, 2004, at his home.

Born Sept. 18, 1907, in Chicago, he was raised by his adopted parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Johnson. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was district manager of the Southeast Division of the International Shoe Company from 1939 until the early 1960s. He and his wife owned and operated 11 shoe stores in Atlanta, Ga., and Tampa, Fla. He moved to Sikeston in 1965 from Atlanta and then moved to Memphis in July 1984.

On July 5, 1930, at Wickliffe, Ky., he married Helen M. Montgomery who preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 1997.

Survivors include: his brother-in-law, Joel A. Montgomery of Sikeston; two nieces, Pat Klein of Westvaco, Texas, and Elizabeth Wilson of Sikeston; three nephews, Ed Cheek of Columbia, S.C., Richard Montgomery of Sikeston and Joel A. Montgomery Jr. of St. Louis.

Visitation is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston. The Rev. Jonathan Cooney, associate pastor of The First United Methodist Church, will officiate.