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Only God can make a preacher: The life story of Rev. F.D. Johnson
SOUTH BEND — Rev. Fred D. Johnson, a pastor for 35 years and a two-time recipient of keys to the city of South Bend, died Monday. He was 86. He had retired in 1992 as pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on Olive St.
He grew up poor in Tennessee, where he had to help pick cotton because his father was ill. Because his education lagged, he did not learn to read until he was in his 30s, after he married Leola Melton. Leola would read the Sunday scripture to him before services; he would memorize it and recite it over the bible at services.
Rev. Johnson served as chaplain for the St. Joseph County Jail for 25 years. Since he knew about illiteracy first hand, he often reached out to children, said his daughter Corine Ross. “He wanted them to go to school, go to college, and get an education. He used to say, ‘If you can get an education, you can do anything.’ He touched and was loved by many,” Ross said. “He adopted me when I was 52 years old.” He and his wife didn’t have any people here, she said, and he knew he was going to need someone in his older life to take care of him and his wife.”
“When I was eleven years old I knew God had called me to preach.”
“How did you know?”
“Because God spoke to me, just like I’m speaking to you. I could hear a voice saying I’m sent…
