Kennis Johnson, b. 23 Oct 1905

Married In Hartley, KY. 08 Nov 1928

Caldonia Johnson, b. 05 Feb 1901

My Papaw and Mother. Both were raised in Pike County, KY and then moved into the Hemphill area of Letcher County. In the early 40's they move into the coal camp at Hemphill to stay. Kennis worked several years cutting timber and then went into the coal mine. Caldonia was a child that met responsibility very early. In her lifetime she saw Haley's comet visit the earth twice.

Kennis and Caldonia first met at Thelma and Ashley's house. Thelma was Cal's sister and Ashley was Kennis' uncle. They would both visit and eventually began to notice one another and began to court. Caldonia already had a son, Roscoe. Kennis and Roscoe would become close friends. After being married Kennis and Cal lived in several hollers on Long Fork of Pike County. They lost three children very early. A daughter Yvonne, died of pneumonia. Lessie was born in 1927. Twin boys, Lonnie and Connie were born after their daughter Lessie in 1930. Connie died in 1932 and Lonnie died in 1934. Both had a chronic liver disease. Deloris was born in 1933.

Work brought the couple to Letcher County in 1942. Kennis went to work in the Hemphill coal mine. He would work there for several years. He also worked in many little truck mines both in Letcher and Floyd County. Hemphill became their home until both passed away.

Caldonia was sick for about 2 years. She spent much time in the Whitesburg Holston Valley Hospital. On January 18, 1988 she passed from this life. She was buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Jackhorn, KY.

Only 4 years later Kennis passed away on October 14, 1991. He began having problems with strokes while living with his two daughters. Eventually he fell and broke his hip and within a week he passed away at the Whitesburg Hospital, Whitesburg, KY. Kennis also suffered from Alzeheimer's disease. He is also buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Jackhorn, KY.

8 Mar 1998 Family Group Sheet
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Husband: Kennis Johnson
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Born: 23 Oct 1905 in: Pike County, KY
Baptized: abt 1943 in: Church of Christ
Died: 14 Oct 1991 in: Whitesburg ARH, Whitesburg, KY
Buried: 17 Oct 1991 in: Hemphill Cemetery, Jackhorn, KY
Occupation: Coal Miner
Father: L.D. Johnson - - Mother: Annie Johnson
Kennis starting working the coal mines on July 15, 1936 at Weeksbury, KY.
Wages were about $30.00 a day.
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Wife: Caldonia Johnson
Married: 8 Nov 1928 in: Hartley, Pike County, KY
Born: 5 Feb 1901 in: Pike County, KY
Baptized: in: Church of Christ
Died: 18 Jan 1988 in: Holsten Valley Hospital, Kingsport, TN
Buried: 21 Jan 1988 in: Hemphill Cemetery, Jackhorn, KY
Occupation: Homemaker
Father: Lorenz D. Johnson - - Mother: Elizabeth Collier
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1 Evon Johnson
F-Born: ? in: Hartley, Pike County, KY
Died: as infant
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2 Lessie Mae Johnson
F-Born: 7 Jul 1927 in: Cook Branch, Hartley, KY
Married Clinton Fleming at Whitesburg, KY on 24 Dec 1943.
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3 Connie Johnson
M-Born: 13 Jun 1930 in: Hartley, Pike County, KY
Died: 25 Nov 1932
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4 Lonnie Johnson
M-Born: 13 Jun 1930 in: Hartley, Pike County, KY
Died: 23 Dec 1934
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5 Deloris Johnson
F-Born: 18 Mar 1933 in: Speight, KY
Married Sol Fleming at Whitesburg, KY on 01 November 1947.
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Roscoe Johnson son of Caldonia Johnson.
F-Born: 02 Mar 1920 in: Hartley, KY
Married Louise Johnson, 02 Aug 1940, Magdaline Taylor, 11 Nov 1994.
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You can hear my Grandmother, Caldonia Johnson, sing "The Bob Johnson Song" by clicking below. This tape was made about 1968-69 at her home in Hemphill, KY.

Click here to hear the first line/first verse of the song.
Load time - 3 Min. Click HERE!

Click here to hear the first line/second verse of the song.
Load time - 3 Min. Click HERE!

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