John Denson Obituary

Acknowledgements The family of Minister John Denson would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Joyce Wade- Hamme of Tri-county Pulmonary & Sleep, UAB & Baptist Hospitals Nurses & Staff. Thanks for all the phone calls, visits, flowers, cards, & the kind expressions of sympathy shown during this period of bereavement. May God continue to bless each & every one of you.

Honorary Pallbearers Joe Bryant | Henry Denson

George Williams | Percy Denson

Cortdarrel Strong | LV Ball Terrill Clincy | Harry Manning

Active Pallbearers

Earl Denson Jr. | Curly Valentine Howard Lewis | Steven Bryant Kenneth King | Derrick King Eddie Champion | Ricky Jones

Flowers Nieces

Interment

Union Hill M.B. Church Sunrise: October 16, 1961  Sunset: April 7, 2021

“Resting from his Labor” Services Entrusted to: Shaffer-Collins Funeral Home, Inc. “Our Family Serving Your Community” April 17, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. 247 West Sixth Street Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194 Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Office: (662) 746-3985 4659 Hwy 22 E | Flora, MS 39071

Calvin C. Melton, Pastor | Dr. Roosevelt Barrett, Officiating

Life Reflections

Minister John L Denson was born October 16, 1961 in Madison County, MS to Hattie Denson and Elbert Andrews, Sr. He was brought up in love by his stepfather Richard Denson. He was the youngest of his siblings. John, affectionately known as “JD” was baptized and became a member of the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. James McClenty. He was later called to the ministry under the leadership of Dr. Roosevelt Barrett and continued to serve faithfully with the present leader Pastor Calvin Melton, Sr. He was also a supportive member of North Flora Church of Christ under the leadership of Brother Ralph Flowers. He later earned a bachelor’s & master’s degree from the New Foundation Theological Seminary. John was also an active member of the Flora Lodge #112 where he earned his 32nd Degree.

John graduated from East Flora High School in 1979 and in that same year he joined the United States Navy and served for 7 years. On July 31, 1982 he married his high school sweetheart Dianna in a double wedding that included his childhood best friend Joe Bryant and the late Marilyn Bryant. He went on to work at Boeing Aircraft Services and various other employers. His inspiration to start his own business began with his job as a maintenance supervisor for the Pride Garden, Sunset, and Grove Apartments. He stepped out on faith and started his own successful business as an independent contractor with JDs Maintenance Systems that he continued to run until he transitioned into his eternal home.

John loved the Lord and served faithfully in the ministry. He cherished his wife and his family. He was a very hardworking man and strived to be the best at everything he was involved in. He had a heart for people and tried to help as many as he could by providing jobs and his expertise where needed. If you asked him if he really knew how to do something, he would quickly tell you “I been doing this all my life.” He was a carpenter, painter, plumber, electrician, etc. He also enjoyed fishing, dancing, and talking.

John went home peacefully on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 2:35 p.m. at UAB Hospital located in Birmingham, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents: Hattie Denson, Elbert Andrews, Sr. and Richard Denson, Sr.; his mother- in-law: Johnnie Mae Mannie; six brothers: Larry Denson, Charles Denson, Richard Denson, Jr., Jimmy Denson,

Willie Trim and John B. (Sonny) Andrews-Wells; two sisters: Ruthie Wiggins and Catherine Champion; and other relatives. John leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife of 38 years, Dianna Denson; five daughters: Kanea (Terrill Sr.) Clincy, LaShae Spinks, Sharita (George) Williams, Hattiesha Denson and Teanna Denson; four grandchildren: Kason Wilkerson, Aiden John Spinks, Terriyah Clincy and Terrill Clincy, Jr.; two sisters: Nora Jean (John) Bratton and Ledora (Sam) Ross; five brothers: Percy (Geraldine) Denson, Henry Denson, Harry Manning, David Peterson, and LV (Glenda) Ball, Sr.; two bonus children: Cortdarrel Strong and Deborah Griffin; six special friends: Joe Bryant, Sammie Harden, Al and Terry Collier and James and Cynthia Harris; and a host of other relatives and friends. “John’s life was truly the meaning of fight with no thought of losing.”- D. Bratton

Order of Service

Program Guide – Michael Spires

Processional ...... Soft Music

Old Testament ...... Rev. John Curtis

New Testament ...... Elder Edward Buckner

Prayer ...... Pastor Calvin C Melton

Song ...... Danny Washington

Expressions ...... (2 minutes please) ...... Anyone Who Desires Tribute ...... Class of 79 Song ...... Union Hill Male Choir Words of Comfort ...... Rev. Danny Ray Hollins Acknowledgments ...... Evangelist Joanne Weathersby Life Reflections ...... Read Silently ...... Soft Music Song ...... L V Ball, Sr.

Eulogy ...... Dr. Roosevelt Barrett

Shaffer-Collins Funeral Directors in Charge

Recessional ...... Clergy, Family & Friends

A Letter from Heaven

When tomorrow starts without me and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today; While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me as much as I love you; And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Tributes Tributes

Husband, I thank God for the 40+ years he allowed us to be together. I’ve lost my high school sweetheart, my love, my Daddy “Sausage Head” in my mind I still talk to you. My heart still waits for you to walk through the door. My soul husband, and my partner for life. He was one of kind and I know he was sent just for me. The memories and love we knows you are at peace and not suffering anymore but for some reason I just can’t hold back the tears. I’m going to miss shared together will forever live in my heart. The love you have for a husband or wife is different from any other, when hearing you calling me Tiesha Monique and don’t be wanting nothing or saying Dude stop bouncing that ball because we married and became one. That’s a special kind of love, a love that is sealed by God. So, I came to realize that God loves you trying to sleep! The random dancing or bursting out singing a song, the family vacations, eating out, the jokes and you and needed you more. If my love could have saved you, you could have stayed with us forever. I love you Husband. laughs. You hollering check that water and it don’t even be enough to bathe in. You always thought you were right even I’m going to miss your smile, your laughs, even your frowns. I will miss you walking around the house calling me when you were wrong your response was “I’m Daddy” so we just let you be right anyway! You taught us so much from “Wife” and me calling you “Husband.” And when I go to bed at night, I’m going to miss the feel of you beside me. You painting to yard work etc. Teaching Kason how to ride bikes, dirt bikes and 4 wheelers. Making sure we all got up and fought the fight and you “WON”. Sweet Rest & Peace Husband: I love you Always. ~ Your Wife Dianna went to church every Sunday even when we didn’t want to. & thank you for naming me Hattie after your mother. I am glad to have had a daddy like you. You made sure everybody was straight, literally everybody and everything. Even leading up to your last days…. asking me how me & Johnna doing and even our little talks we had and you thinking of a name for her. So saddened that you won’t be here when she arrives but I will make sure she knows she was loved by Granddaddy. I know you will be here with us spiritually watching over us ALL! We love you so much! ~ Love Tiesha, Dude, & Johnna ~

Hey Daddy, It’s “Killa”, the one you threw in the pool at 2 yrs old as my first swimming lesson and somehow I survived Our Little Brother, our hearts are left broken without you. We are forever thankful for the time we had together growing

and easily swam straight to the top on my own. I am also the one you taught how to drive with a standard shift at 8 up. Today is full of memories you left behind. Our minds know that you are in a better place, where there is no more pain years old and the one you uniquely named “Kanea Chablis’”. You raised us to be a very close-knit family. We fit together we understand; but we just wish we could explain it to our hearts! Like a good soldier you fought to the end, never giving like a puzzle but now a piece of our puzzle is forever gone. Oh how I will miss hearing you say “You alright with me up; no matter what or how hard it was. God saw you getting tired so held out His arms and whispered, “Come to me.”

“T” whenever you would see Terrill, or Hey “TT” when Terriyah walk in the house or when you talk about how heavy You fought well “Little Brother” Rest in Peace for a little while. Love and missing you until we meet again. “Lil T “ was when you hold him. I thank God you got to see my little family and hear you randomly say it was beautiful. ~ Your brothers & big sisters Henry, Percy, Doretha & “Baby Jean” ~ We will miss you dearly. ~ Love you forever, Killa, T, TT, & Lil T

For my uncle Daddy, it’s hard to believe that you are gone. But I understand that it was your time. You fought long and hard. You I have so many memories, of the times we spent together always made sure that you “showed up” not only for me but all of us and we love you for that. We will miss you and And even though you are no longer here, I’ll cherish them forever never forget you. Love you Daddy. ~ Love “Spinks & Lil John” I miss your laughter so much, and the mischief in your smile When I feel the sadness welling up, I’ll remember it a while, For though you are no longer here, you’ll never b truly gone. To my Dawg, as much as I hate to say goodbye for now it’s a relief to know you’re in a better place. God showed himself So long as we have these memories, your spirit will carry on.

miraculous in your life countless times. Over the years I watched you struggle with your health, but you still lived up So until I see your smile again, We will hold you in our hearts and minds. to your “one call” motto. You were always there or coached me through fixing whatever problem I had when you couldn’t A shining example, our uncle, of the best of humankind. make it. I’m thankful for the time spent and the memories made. I finally accepted the fact of being your twin and the Love your Nephews

son you never had. You were a man of great faith, an inspiration to a lot of people and my motivation to just be nice. You were definitely DADDY and I will forever cherish you in my heart and mind until I’m able to be with you again. ~ Love Rita “Dogg” ~

As Ledora Ross always say (My baby Brother). Uncle John you have been the youngest and best uncle we could ever

Dear Daddy, I still can’t process the reality of you being gone. I feel like I’m having a bad dream. Please wake me up. ask for. The love and peacefulness you shown us you will never be forgotten. We love you so much Uncle John because when we called or needed you, Uncle John, you were always there. We will see you again. Daddy you left us so suddenly. We never took our RV trip. I’m going to miss your loud singing and your laughs. I’m Tell the rest of the family “hello” with much love. going to miss seeing those same fat jaws you gave me that rise when you smile. I’m going to miss making you Red Rose sandwiches too. I promise to no put too much mustard on them next time. Daddy, I wish we had more time together, but Your nieces – Diane, Daisy, Lisa, Gloria, Shanika, Quet, Shannon, Keona, Latoya, Kenya,

God needed you now. I’ll never forget you and I’ll always love you Daddy. ~ Your babygirl, Teanna Latteesa, Marranda, Cassandra, Rene, Ciara, Destiny, Latasha