Lawrence Frank Johnsey Jr.

Lawrence Frank Johnsey Jr., known affectionately as "Larry" or “Doodle,” a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a humble servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at the age of 73. Born on November 7, 1952, to Lawrence and Margie Johnsey, Larry grew up with a deep appreciation for hard work and family values. He attended Jones Valley High School before answering the call to serve his country. In 1971, he joined the United States Coast Guard, where he served with honor and distinction for four years. A man of unwavering faith, Larry was a cornerstone of the First Baptist Church of Mount Olive for over 30 years. His devotion to his church was expressed not only through his presence in the pews but through his hands; he spent countless hours performing building maintenance, ensuring the house of the Lord was cared for with the same diligence he applied to every aspect of his life. For Larry, family was the greatest earthly treasure, held second only to his deep and personal relationship with his Lord and Savior. An avid outdoorsman, Larry found peace in nature. Whether he was hunting in the quiet woods or fishing on a still lake, he cherished the beauty of God’s creation. Larry is survived by his wife of 34 years, Grace; his sister Sandra (Terry) McGuire, his daughters Joy (Chris) Ballenger and Jill (Greg) Dykes, and step-son Brad (Jessica) Galloway. He was a proud grandfather to nine and a great-grandfather to three and also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to their niece, JoAnn Ingram, for her tireless love and support of Larry and Grace. He was preceded in death by his parents and six of his siblings: Amos Boothe, Betty Armstrong, Mildred Morris, Jimmy Ray Boothe, Walter Johnsey, and Mary Lee McMillian, as well as numerous beloved extended family members and in-laws. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Mount Olive Building Fund, 4401 Mt. Olive Road, Mt. Olive, AL 35117. This contribution will honor Larry’s memory by supporting the maintenance and growth of the church he loved and served so faithfully. Visitation will be held on Wednesday May 13, 2026 from 5-7 pm at Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church Mount Olive on Thursday May 14, 2026 at 11:30 with burial to follow at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo at 2pm.

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Lawrence Frank Johnsey Jr.

November 7, 1952 - May 11, 2026