Forrest Johnson

DEXTER - Forrest F. "Radio" and "Magic" Johnson, 85, died Feb. 26, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born Sept. 25, 1916, at Elvins, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter. He served four years with the 6th Division, 20th Infantry, Company K of the U.S. Army and was a retired pipefitter with Local 562 in St. Louis. He was also a member of American Legion Post 114 in Sikeston, Ionic Lodge 154 of Desloge, Royal Arch 129 and Council 43 Commandery Lodge 56 Knights Temple of Bonne Terre.

On April 26, 1978, at Dayton Beach, Fla., he married Novella Reed who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons and one daughter-in-law, Donald and Julie Johnson of Salem and Terry Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz.; one daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Bill Priest of Park Hills; one stepdaughter and son-in-law, Anita and Byron Underwood of Rector, Ark.; two brothers, Raymond Johnson of Farmington and John Johnson of Park Hills; one sister, Glenda Grisham of Bismark; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Two brothers, Jasper Johnson and Aaron Johnson, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter where Masonic rites will be conducted at 7 p.m.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Wayne Dismuke officiating.

Entombment will follow in the Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Poplar Bluff.