Terry Wade Johnson, a devoted servant of God, beloved husband, and tireless community leader, has stepped out of this life and into the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ. While the newspapers may record his passing, Terry would want it known—as he often told his family and church members —”The newspapers are going to say that Terry Wade Johnson has died. Don’t you believe it! I’m very much alive and with my eternal Saviour!”
Early Life and Calling
Born on May 2, 1935, in Woodberry, Arkansas, to Freddie and Pauline (Reddin) Johnson, Terry’s journey took him from the hills of Calhoun County to Memphis, Tennessee, during his junior high years. A proud 1953 graduate of Humes High School, Elvis Presley even had the privilege to call Terry his “very good friend”. Terry’s life reached its most pivotal turning point on September 7, 1953, when he was saved during an evening service at Springdale Baptist Church.
Driven by his new faith, he enrolled in Central Baptist College just days later. His desire was to serve as a music director in churches. He took piano and voice lessons and was a member of the CBC quartet. However, his plan failed when he tumbled down 3 flights of stairs and broke his hand, and he couldn’t play. God had another plan for Terry.
On April 21, 1954, at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, Terry surrendered to God’s call to preach. One week later, he delivered his first sermon at his home church in Memphis, beginning a lifelong ministry that would span seven decades.
A Life of Service
Terry’s ministry was defined by a “boots-on-the-ground” faith. He pastored his first church, Harrison Chapel Baptist Church in Beebe, before marrying the love of his life, Sue Ring, on May 12, 1956. Together, they began a beautiful 70-year journey of marriage and ministry, starting at Prairie Baptist Church near Lake City.
Terry was a man of boundless energy and diverse talents for the Lord. His work for the Kingdom included:
Evangelism: Visiting and organizing community gatherings of children for Bible lessons. Served as President of Youth Camps at Latham Springs, TX, where he preached to over 2,000 in attendance. Served as an Arkansas Baptist State Missionary. Wrote articles for the Baptist Trumpet newspaper for years. Preached extensive two-week revivals and Bible conferences across the region. States he preached in included Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Illinois, South Carolina, and Nevada
Media & Education: Hosting the Calvary’s Call radio broadcast on KNEA Jonesboro for 15 years and founding the Jonesboro Christian School, where he served as administrator, teacher, and chaplain. He also developed his own teaching materials, Sunday School lessons, and ministerial lessons known as “Word of Life Ministries”. He taught other young ministers, taught music lessons, and taught music directors. He organized a Christian library. At the age of 48, he received his Doctor of Divinity.
Outreach: Maintaining a weekly nursing home ministry every Sunday morning and a jail ministry every Sunday afternoon.
Church Planting: Starting new churches and physically helping construct their buildings with his own hands.
Sue recalled a typical Sunday would include: The Sunday morning radio broadcast, preaching at the Craighead County rest home, to church to teach Sunday School, deliver the morning worship service, preach at the local Jail house, back to church to teach the youth, and then preach the evening worship. A sum total of 7 preaching events every Sunday for many years.
Additional Churches Pastored
Calvery Baptist at Manilla
Eastside Baptist at Jonesboro
Whiteville Baptist at Mountain Home
First Baptist at Quitman
Faith Baptist at Greenbriar
Woodrow Baptist Church
Concord First Baptist
Rings Chapel Missionary Baptist at Cave City
Concord Missionary Baptist, Assistant Pastor
A True Bi-Vocational Servant
Terry believed in the dignity of hard work. Often bi-vocational, he served his community as a school bus driver, substitute teacher, row crop farmer, real estate agent, and owner of Christian bookstores. He sold vacuum cleaners, helped build Walmart stores, was a licensed fishing guide, a fire chief, and a home builder. He was also an electrician, gardener, and enjoyed horses. He particularly enjoyed his time as a Sheriff’s Deputy, where he mentored youth through the DARE program. His trust and love for the Lord led him to this wide range of work experiences, where he witnessed for Jesus.
Legacy
Though Terry never kept a tally of those he led to Christ, the impact of his ministry is immeasurable. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Sue, a host of nieces, nephews, adopted sons and daughters, and grandkids, who will cherish his legacy of faith, devotion, hard work, humor, and grit. Just think of all the crowns he has to lay at the feet of Jesus!
Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Concord Missionary Baptist Church with Chris Garrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Parsley Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church.
Arrangements are by Qualls Funeral Homes.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7
