John Lispcomb Johnson
Wortley Valentine Johnson
Valentine Mason Johnson

Wortley loved baseball as a passion.  He was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad and a member of the Order of Railway Conductors of America.

Person Sheet of Wortley Valentine Johnson -  Note: This link takes you to the genealogical research that I have documented.

Pictures - Passion and Work

Marriage Announcement

On December 23^rd, 1902 Mr. Wortley Johnson and Miss Lou Hawkins were united in marriage at the residence of the bride’s parents (Leroy Enders Hawkins and Alice Lipsey Hawkins) by Rev. J. M, Bradley. Mr. Johnson is a most worthy and clever young gentleman and a popular employee of the I. C. R R., while the bride is one of the city’s most charming arid popular daughters. The Itemizer joins their host of friends in extending congratulations and best wishes

McComb Exchange Club Silver Loving Cup

W.V. JOHNSON, Ex-president McComb Exchange Club, who was awarded a silver loving cup Wednesday by the members of the Exchange organization as a token of appreciation of the fine administration executed by him. Many glowing compliments were paid to Mr. Johnson. The cup was presented in the name of the club by P. J. Abright

Click on the thumbnail to the right for the scanned image of the newspaper article.

Obituaries

Late Mr. Johnson Paid High Tribute As Sports Lover
The late W. V. Johnson was known far and wide in this vicinity for his active interest in sports of all kinds, from football to fishing, and as long, as his health permitted he was a constant participant, spectator and supporter of sports.
As late as last summer, Mr. Johnson, although already in bad health, was a regular attendant at baseball games played by the Harry Harvey Post, American Legion, Juniors. This was the first baseball played on any sort of organized basis around McComb for quite a number of years, and the boys on the squad were completely inexperienced, playing a game they had never been taught anything about and lacking even the baseball education they would have received from having watched regular contests.
Naturally, they played badly— if hard and progressively better.  That fact didn’t keep Mr. Johnson from the games. No admission was charged for these games, but “the hat was passed” so that spectators who wanted to help the kids could contribute. That hat never went by “Coca Cola” Johnson that it wasn’t richer by at least a five-dollar bill.
And among the many expressions received by his widow last week after Mr. Johnson had played out his string after a very hard fight to live, was this from “A Friend and Teacher” of the city:
“Years ago, when school days were all study and no play for the children. Mr. Johnson came out to the school and organized a baseball team.
“Practically single-handedly, he put the project over, including uniforms and equipment. From when on, I thought of him as a splendid sort of person—far see­ing, unselfish and self-effacing.
He never sought any recognition for his efforts, but that was characteristic of the man. I have wondered how many people know that his baseball team was the real beginning of the athletic department of our schools?”

Wortley V. Johnson Funeral At McComb
Prominent Dies Saturday

McComb, May 22--Wortley Valentine Johnson, 69, prominent McComb business man, died at his residence early Friday morning after a long illness.
Mr. Johnson came to McComb about 42 years ago and soon after established the first Coca-Cola bottling plant here. He was a sound and progressive business man. Retiring by nature, he was noted for devotion to his family as well as to his business.
He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Wahabi Temple Shriner and a past president of the McComb Rotary Club. He was a deacon in the First Baptist church here.
Mr. Johnson leaves his wife, Mrs. Lucy Hawkins Johnson, of McComb, two daughters, Mrs. Jessie Green, Shelbyville, TN. and Mrs. Robert Gandy, Jackson; and one sister, Mrs. W.B. Harris, Clinton.
Mr. Johnson was born in Oxford while his late father. Dr. J.L. Johnson, Sr. was a department head on the University of Mississippi Facility. He was educated Ole Miss and at Miss. State college, being a stellar athlete with he baseball team at Starkville.
He continued his enthusiasm for sports all his life, being a member of the Fernwood Golf Club, an enthusiastic supported of the McComb High athletic teams and a regular attendant at all World Series baseball games until his health bean to fail. 
Funeral Services will be conducted from the family residence Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with Dr. Wyatt Hunter, pastor of the First Baptist church officiating.
Pallbearers will be Clarence Lewis Barlow, Teddie Leroy Barlow, Ernest Nelson Felder, Lloyd William Strickland, Lewis Burton Guy, Lewis Braxton McKinley.
Internment will be in the Hollywood cemetery here with Hartman Funeral home in charge of arrangements.