Nick Boyd Johnson, known to all as BigPa, (age 81) went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at his home surrounded by his family as he had always prayed, February 23, 2024.
Nick was born to Paul and Ritha Johnson at home in Portal, GA on October 22, 1942.
Nick was born with the love for farming in his blood.  He farmed his entire life. His father taught him to farm and Nick taught his sons how to farm and love the land, and is continuing on to the next generations. When it came to gardening, there was not a better garden than "Big Pa's" to be found.  He always planted enough "groceries" to go around the entire community.
He loved fishing. One of the biggest dreams he had for many years was transforming the three fishing ponds on the farm into one big fishing pond.  He saw that dream come to fruition in 2011.
He loved the land, but He loved the Lord God most of all. He made sure everyone he met knew that too. He never met a stranger.  If you didn't know Jesus when you met Nick, you knew him by the end of your conversation.  He had a passion for sharing the Gospel to all that he could.
BigPa was a member of Elam Baptist Church where he served in many capacities from being a Deacon, to Director of Brotherhood,  to Sunday school  teacher for the youth, to preparing  his famous fried chicken  for so many events at the church. While serving as director of brotherhood, he started the annual Lottie Moon Auction to raise money for the mission that was so dear to his heart.  He had an amazing talent for  creating unique art made from old farm implements. His creations made a lot of people  run the bid up as they fought to own one of his masterpieces.
He became an Ordained Minister so that he could go in to the Jail in Jenkins County to share the Word of God with the prisoners.  Many accepted Christ and were baptized in the jail yard in a cow trough.  He pastored at Wade Baptist Church in Cooperville, GA. He ministered at New Beginnings in Christ in Garfield, GA., where he was greatly loved and appreciated.  He went to El Salvador on a mission trip. Funny thing is, he wandered off witnessing on his own.  He had everybody looking for him. He said he was fine, the Lord was looking out for him. After his ordination into the ministry, he had the honor and privilege to perform the marriage ceremony of two of his grand children.
He was a volunteer firefighter for South Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department. He was wired to help.  He helped and wanted to help any way he could because that is just who he was.
His most cherished treasure in his life was without a doubt, his family.  He loved them more than life. He married the Love of His life, Martha Cowart on May 1, 1961. They had four children, twelve grandchildren, and Nineteen great grandchildren. Big Pa also considered all of the spouses of his children to be his children. He never referred to them as the in laws. He loved them all as his own.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ritha Johnson,  his sister Janice Johnson, and his daughter in love, Carol Bennett Johnson.

BigPa is survived by his wife Martha Cowart Johnson, Children Beth and Mike Bell, Mitchell and Stephanie Johnson, Rayburn and Dorie Johnson, and  Retha Lynn and Eddie Hodges.
Grand Children Chesley and Gena Johnson, Haley and Chas Conway, Cody Todd, Hudson and Bonnie Johnson, Paige and Kade Lee, David and Krista Hodges, Hayward and Jo Beth Johnson, Jessica and Sean Brannen, Britt Todd, Will Griffin, Cannon Griffin, and Rob Bell, and Nineteen Great Grand Children; his brother, John Paul Johnson and sister, Joyce Alderman.
Big Pa was a Blessed man, indeed.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Elam Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be Monday at 11;00 am with Revs. Ben Gay and Jody Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chesley Johnson, Cody Todd, Hudson Johnson, David Hodges, Hayward Johnson, and Britt Todd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Youth Fund at Elam Baptist Church at 5199 Elam Rd, Millen GA 30442, or New Beginnings In Christ at PO Box 192, Garfield, GA 30425.

Crowe-Fields Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.