Colonel Stone Johnson: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Colonel Stone Johnson.jpg|right|thumb|Colonel Stone Johnson in 2010]] | [[Image:Colonel Stone Johnson.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Colonel Stone Johnson in 2010]] | ||
'''Colonel Stone Johnson''' (born [[September 9]], [[1918]] in Hayesville, Lowndes County; died [[January 19]], [[2012]]) was a union representative and Civil Rights activist. | '''Colonel Stone Johnson''' (born [[September 9]], [[1918]] in Hayesville, Lowndes County; died [[January 19]], [[2012]]) was a union representative and Civil Rights activist. | ||
Johnson was the son of Colonel and Fannie Johnson. His father was named for Union Colonel William R. Brewster, who served at Gettysburg. The family moved to [[Birmingham]] in [[1922]] and he attended [[Slater Elementary School]] and graduated from [[Lincoln High School]] in [[1939]]. During high school he worked for the [[Bowden Trucking Company]] and after graduation became an employee of the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]], where he worked for 39 years. Johnson married the former [[Beatrice Yancey]] in [[1942]]. | Johnson was the son of Colonel and Fannie Johnson. His father was named for Union Colonel William R. Brewster, who served at Gettysburg. The family moved to [[Birmingham]] in [[1922]] and he attended [[Slater Elementary School]] and graduated from [[Lincoln High School]] in [[1939]]. During high school he worked for the [[Bowden Trucking Company]] and after graduation became an employee of the [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]], where he worked for 39 years. Johnson married the former [[Beatrice Johnson|Beatrice Yancey]] in [[1942]]. | ||
At the railroad, Johnson became active in labor issues as a union representative, assisting in a lawsuit filed against the railroad by Pullman car porters. He became acquainted with [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]] founder [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] in [[1956]] and joined the emerging [[Civil Rights Movement]]. | At the railroad, Johnson became active in labor issues as a union representative, assisting in a lawsuit filed against the railroad by Pullman car porters. He became acquainted with [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]] founder [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] in [[1956]] and joined the emerging [[Civil Rights Movement]]. | ||
After the [[1956 Bethel Baptist Church bombing|bombing]] of Shuttlesworth's home that Christmas, Johnson helped put together a volunteer security detail, later called the [[Civil Rights Guards]], which kept watch over churches, businesses and homes connected to the movement. He helped remove dynamite from near [[Bethel Baptist Church]] when [[1958 Bethel Baptist Church bombing|another attempt]] was made to destroy it in June [[1958]]. When keeping watch, he carried what he referred to later as a "nonviolent .38 police special." | After the [[1956 Bethel Baptist Church bombing|bombing]] of Shuttlesworth's home that Christmas, Johnson helped put together a volunteer security detail, later called the [[Civil Rights Guards]], which kept watch over churches, businesses and homes connected to the movement. He served as Shuttlesworth's personal bodyguard in Birmingham, and helped remove dynamite from near [[Bethel Baptist Church]] when [[1958 Bethel Baptist Church bombing|another attempt]] was made to destroy it in June [[1958]]. When keeping watch, he carried what he referred to later as a "nonviolent .38 police special." | ||
In [[1977]] Johnson testified against [[National States Rights Party]] official [[J. B. Stoner]], who was convicted of conspiring to plant the second bomb at Bethel in [[1958]]. | In [[1977]] Johnson testified against [[National States Rights Party]] official [[J. B. Stoner]], who was convicted of conspiring to plant the second bomb at Bethel in [[1958]]. | ||
Johnson retired from L&N in [[1979]]. He has volunteered at the [[Birmingham Civil Rights Institute]] since its opening in [[1993]], leading tours around [[Kelly Ingram Park]] and sharing his personal recollections of the movement in Birmingham with visitors from across the country. In [[2006]] he accepted the [[Robert P. Bynum Award]] from the [[UAB Center for Aging]], a recognition for seniors who are "actively engaged in activities that enhance the health or well-being of other older adults." | Johnson retired from L&N in [[1979]]. He has volunteered at the [[Birmingham Civil Rights Institute]] since its opening in [[1993]], leading tours around [[Kelly Ingram Park]] and sharing his personal recollections of the movement in Birmingham with visitors from across the country. In [[2006]] he accepted the [[Robert P. Bynum Award]] from the [[UAB Center for Aging]], a recognition for seniors who are "actively engaged in activities that enhance the health or well-being of other older adults." After Shuttlesworth returned to Birmingham in [[2007]], Johnson visited with him daily. | ||
Johnson died in [[2012]] at [[Princeton Baptist Medical Center]]. | A section of [[McMillon Avenue]] between [[2nd Street Southwest]] and [[Lomb Avenue]] was dedicated in Johnson's honor in [[2011]]. | ||
Johnson died in [[2012]], 7 months after his wife, at [[Princeton Baptist Medical Center]]. After a funeral service at [[Mount Calvary Baptist Church]] he was buried at [[Elmwood Cemtery]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3150647.stm An original foot soldier]." (August 26, 2003) BBC News | * "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3150647.stm An original foot soldier]." (August 26, 2003) BBC News | ||
* [http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/iml04/soc/ush/civil/johnson/index.html Colonel Stone Johnson] interview and biography. Teachers' Domain | * [http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/iml04/soc/ush/civil/johnson/index.html Colonel Stone Johnson] interview and biography. Teachers' Domain | ||
* Garrison, Greg (January 17, 2011) "Birmingham honors Colonel Stone Johnson's courage." | * Garrison, Greg (January 17, 2011) "Birmingham honors Colonel Stone Johnson's courage." {{BN}} | ||
* Gray, Jeremy (January 19, 2012) "Birmingham civil rights activist Colonel Stone Johnson has died." | * Gray, Jeremy (January 19, 2012) "Birmingham civil rights activist Colonel Stone Johnson has died." {{BN}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Colonel Stone}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Colonel Stone}} | ||
| Line 29: | Line 31: | ||
[[Category:Civil rights activists]] | [[Category:Civil rights activists]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]] | [[Category:Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]] | ||
[[Category:Elmwood burials]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:12, 27 April 2014
Colonel Stone Johnson (born September 9, 1918 in Hayesville, Lowndes County; died January 19, 2012) was a union representative and Civil Rights activist.
Johnson was the son of Colonel and Fannie Johnson. His father was named for Union Colonel William R. Brewster, who served at Gettysburg. The family moved to Birmingham in 1922 and he attended Slater Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939. During high school he worked for the Bowden Trucking Company and after graduation became an employee of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, where he worked for 39 years. Johnson married the former Beatrice Yancey in 1942.
At the railroad, Johnson became active in labor issues as a union representative, assisting in a lawsuit filed against the railroad by Pullman car porters. He became acquainted with Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights founder Fred Shuttlesworth in 1956 and joined the emerging Civil Rights Movement.
After the bombing of Shuttlesworth's home that Christmas, Johnson helped put together a volunteer security detail, later called the Civil Rights Guards, which kept watch over churches, businesses and homes connected to the movement. He served as Shuttlesworth's personal bodyguard in Birmingham, and helped remove dynamite from near Bethel Baptist Church when another attempt was made to destroy it in June 1958. When keeping watch, he carried what he referred to later as a "nonviolent .38 police special."
In 1977 Johnson testified against National States Rights Party official J. B. Stoner, who was convicted of conspiring to plant the second bomb at Bethel in 1958.
Johnson retired from L&N in 1979. He has volunteered at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute since its opening in 1993, leading tours around Kelly Ingram Park and sharing his personal recollections of the movement in Birmingham with visitors from across the country. In 2006 he accepted the Robert P. Bynum Award from the UAB Center for Aging, a recognition for seniors who are "actively engaged in activities that enhance the health or well-being of other older adults." After Shuttlesworth returned to Birmingham in 2007, Johnson visited with him daily.
A section of McMillon Avenue between 2nd Street Southwest and Lomb Avenue was dedicated in Johnson's honor in 2011.
Johnson died in 2012, 7 months after his wife, at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. After a funeral service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church he was buried at Elmwood Cemtery.
References
- "An original foot soldier." (August 26, 2003) BBC News
- Colonel Stone Johnson interview and biography. Teachers' Domain
- Garrison, Greg (January 17, 2011) "Birmingham honors Colonel Stone Johnson's courage." The Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy (January 19, 2012) "Birmingham civil rights activist Colonel Stone Johnson has died." The Birmingham News