Public Tribute Friday to honor the life of Judge J. Horace Johnson, Jr.

Newton County Courthouse renamed in honor of Judge who served in it for 18 years

There will be a service preceding the public viewing Friday in honor of the Honorable Judge J. Horace Johnson, Jr., the Alcovy Judicial Circuit Superior Court judge who passed away suddenly on July 1, 2020. The service will be in the Newton County Judicial Center, the name of which will be changed in honor of Johnson who served in it for 18 years. Johnson’s friend and campaign manager, Fred Hicks, said he had the idea and called Georgia Sen. Tonya Anderson, who agreed to work on it.

“She called the Newton County Board Chair, the local board has to agree, and they voted on it today,” Hicks said Tuesday. The county courthouse in downtown Covington will now be known as Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Judicial Center.

The public tribute will begin at 2 p.m. on July 10, to be followed by the viewing from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Judicial Center at 1132 Usher St. NW, Covington, GA 30014.

The Order of the Service follows.

Musical Prelude- Maestro Raymond Hammond

Presiding- Honorable Judge John M. Ott

Processional- The Johnson Family

Scripture Readings

Old Testament-Billy Wayde

New Testament- Walter Kimbrough

Prayer of Comfort– Rev. Ralph Thompson

Poem Reading– Evie Hightower (Goddaughter)

Memorial Tribute– Honorable Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. (Life & Legacy)

Presentation of Proclamation

Honorable Mayor Steve Horton

Chairman Marcello Banes

Remarks

Judge W. Kendall Wynn Jr.

Judge Samuel Ozburn

Judge Eugene M. Benton

Family- H. James Johnson III

Last Call

Sgt. Dunaball (Walton Co. Courts)

Deputy DJ Donald Jones (Newton Co. Courts)

The viewing will follow downstairs