Ernest Johnson, Sr. was a native of Mount Bayou, born to to the late Hiram Johnson and Luella Byars, on November 26, 1928.  Ernest moved to Chicago, Illinois in September, 1946.  In Chicago, he started his family, and then moved them all to Pontiac, Michigan in August 1952. He was ordained to the ministry in 1969 and founded New Era Missionary Baptist Church in 1972.  In addition, Pastor Johnson began attending Jordan Bible College, Detroit, Michigan.

Two years after the passing of his first wife, Laura Mae Johnson, Pastor Ernest Johnson and Ruby Johnson were joined in holy matrimony.  Already a large family of six boys, two more were added for a total of eight.

During his ministry, Pastor Emeritus Johnson has received numerous awards for community service from the State of Michigan, County of Oakland and the City of Pontiac.  He was very active in the Oakland County Ministerial Fellowship, Crystal Lake District Association as well as other religious organizations.

Pastor Emeritus Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram Johnson and Luella Byars; his wife, Laura Mae Johnson and sons, Ernest Johnson, Jr and Larry Johnson.

Rev. Ernest Johnson, Sr., of Pontiac, Michigan departed this life on April 22, 2020.  He is survived by his wife, Ruby Johnson; sons, Cornelius Johnson and Morris (Jackie) Johnson of Pontiac, MI, Michael Johnson of West Bloomfield, MI, Anthony (Vernice) Johnson of Providence, RI. John (Tiffany) Bowie of Rochester Hills, MI and Edward (Vanessa) Bowie of Grand Blanc, MI as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren - a total of five generations.  He also leaves a close friend, Pastor Emeritus Johnson will be missed for his compassion, his wisdom and his teachings. To know him is to love him.

A Family Gathering will be held on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Cobb's Funeral Home 151 Orchard Lake Road., Pontiac, Michigan.

As a global concern about Coronavirus (COVID-19) begins to have an increased impact on our community, we are taking steps necessary to ensure the safety of the families we serve and the community in general.  Some families are making the decision to postpone services while others have opted to move forward with a small gathering of close family and friends.

It is Cobb's Funeral Home policy, which lines up with the restrictions of our governor, Gretchen Whitmer, that all gatherings are limited to 10 people with a distance of 6 feet.

May God continue to bless and strengthen all of you during this time.