Sylvester "Vest" Johnson, 87, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Friday, July 13, 2018 at his residence. A native of Stillmore, GA., he was the son of Thomas and Lettie (Mincy) Johnson, Sr., born on Sunday, October 12, 1930. He was educated in the Emanuel County, GA School District. "Vest" has been a resident of Putnam County for 68 years and since age 19 been a member of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member of the male chorus and the usher board. He retired from Hudson Pulp & Paper Mill following 43 years of employment as a heavy equipment operator (Bark Pusher). In September 1950, he married the love of his life, Alice Kirkland Johnson and they became the proud parents of four children.

After retirement, "Vest" started a small engine repair shop and most of the time you could find him at the shop. He truly loved auto racing (especially NASCAR), wrestling, and his "CB" radio. He was a masonic brother and a former NAACP member. His favorite television show was "Family Feud" and he enjoyed watching the Western Channel.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by his wife of 50 years, Alice Johnson; daughter, Sandra Louise Johnson; brothers, William, Willie, Thomas, Jr. and Issac Johnson, Sr.; sisters, Claudia Mae Moore, Betty Byrd, Alberta Watson, Dora Lee Patterson; sisters-in-law, Irene Johnson, Josephine Johnson, Lelia Mae Johnson, Pearl Johnson and Elmira Kirkland Robinson.

He leaves to cherish his memories: devoted daughters, Sylvia Johnson Madison, Jozet (Lamar) Dumas; son, Greg (Michelle) Johnson; sisters, Lillie Bell Bradshaw and Wylean (Claude) Murray, all of Palatka; Betty (W.J. "Jack") Durden, Miami; special granddaughter, Demetra (Tony Brayboy) Jenkins; grandchildren, Sylvester Jenkins, Tyrone Jenkins, Demetrious "D.J." (Rosa) Johnson, La'Alyce Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Chamar Dumas, Chavaris Dumas, Bianka Dumas Stroud, Alexandria Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Kayla Johnson; great-grandchildren, Essence Brayboy Jenkins, Sylvester Jenkins, Jr., Na'Deja Jenkins, Tyshon Jenkins, Shekira Walker, Cleasha Jenkins, Tyresse Jenkins, Diamond Jenkins, Jo'Ceon Johnson, Ja'Khyll Wright, Jesaiah Johnson, Kaleb Johnson, Kaven Johnson; great-great grandchildren, Taj Brown, Jimmaron Curry Jr.; numerous nieces and nephews, especially devoted nieces and nephews, Linda Bradshaw Lee, Elnora "Pinky" (Kent) James, Reverend Stanley Moore, Jerry Bradshaw, Charles "Butch" Williams, Minister Lee (Michelle) Johnson, Bobby Ray Johnson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, July 27, at "Flagg Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 12 noon, Saturday, July 28, at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 1000 N. 19th St., Palatka, Rev. Anthony Q. Robinson, Sr., Pastor, officiating. His nephew, Rev. Stanley Moore, pastor of Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Swainsboro, GA., is the eulogist. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.