Francis R. "Babe" Johnson

Francis R. Babe Johnson, 69, of Mexico, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at 6:18 a.m. at the VA Hospital in Columbia.

He was born Aug. 30, 1938, in Mexico, a son of Arthur L. and Hazel I. VanVactor Johnson. He married Doris Laverne Williams on Oct. 24, 1957, in Mexico. She survives at the home.

Mr. Johnson is also survived by two sons, William (Bill) Johnson and wife Julia, Mexico, and Jeffery (Jeff) Johnson and wife Nancy of Bossier City, La.; two daughters, Patricia (Patty) Mahan and girlfriend Pam Weider, Mexico, and Bonnie Jean Funk and boyfriend Duane Ainsworth, Mexico; six grandsons, six granddaughters; three great grandsons, two step granddaughters, four step great grandsons, three step great granddaughters; one brother, Robert Johnson and wife Joyce, Millersburg; one sister, Joyce Johnson, Columbia; one uncle, William Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz.; childhood friend Earl Jones and wife Cheryl, Bonaire, Ga.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

His parents, Arthur L. Johnson and Hazel I. VanVactor Johnson, his in-laws Virgil B. Williams and Daisy A. Davis Williams, one infant sister and numerous aunts and uncles preceded him in death.

He spent four years in the US Air Force from 1956 until 1960. He then returned to Mexico where he had worked for Forrest Hatfield s 66 in the early 60 s, for Empire Gas Co., in the mid 60 s and was a truck driver for 35 years which involved working for Fishburn Co., Falstaff Beer Co., Oliver Trucking Co., Wilkerson Co., and Poole trucking, all of Mexico, and Gencom of Marshall. He enjoyed car racing, Cardinal baseball, Chiefs and MU football. After retiring in 1997, he enjoyed fishing, bluegrass music (Hardee s on Monday nights), grandkids playing ball and just time with family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Jones officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. Interment will be held in a private family service at a later date.

Pallbearers will be his six grandsons, Michael, Jeremy, Joseph, William, Dustin and Kelly. Honorary pallbearers will be his six granddaughters, Rebecca, Amanda, Sarah, Jessica, Ciara and Kaitlyn.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be offered through the funeral home web site, www.pickeringfh.com