***The Service For Mr. Allan B. Johnson will be streamed via Facebook and YouTube on Fairview Missionary Baptist Church of OKC beginning at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023***

The links are provided below:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/fairviewokc?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/@fairviewmissionarybaptistc7977

March 22, 1970 – December 16, 2023
The Journey of a Psalmist Warrior
A glimpse of the earthly sojourn of Allan B. Johnson

The Psalmist's Journey-

It was on the LORD's Day, March 22, 1970, about 5:30 a.m. when a precious baby boy was born to Alford and Frankye (Sourie) Johnson in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They named that boy Allan Bernord. They had no idea who God had entrusted them with the responsibility of nurturing and shaping.

Allan was a mere three-year-old when his mother realized that he had a lovely voice with perfect pitch and could quickly memorize the words to songs. He soon became the family performer, always willing and ready to entertain on the spot. His maternal grandmother dubbed
him a "natural ham."

Allan began his formal education in the Muskogee Public Schools, attending Cherokee Elementary. His parents divorced and he, his older sister, and mother relocated to Oklahoma City in 1977. Allan began his 2nd grade school year at Greenvale Elementary School in the Western Heights School District. By Allan's 4th grade year, the family had moved to South OKC, but intentionally stayed within the boundaries of the Western Heights District. Allan then attended John Glenn Elementary School. Many of his lifetime friends and professional associates were people from the Western Heights District, and in particular, the John Glenn years

As a child Allan was introduced to Christ at home and at church, and at the age of 9, he accepted Christ and was baptized by the family pastor, Rev. J. A. Reed, Jr., at the Fairview Baptist Church. Allan took his faith so seriously that as a young adult he chose to be re-baptized to re-
affirm the decision he had made as a child. He was re-baptized at Briarwood Baptist Church, now Graceway, by Rev. Bill Zodrow.

Allan played little league football for the Westside Colts and later at Western Heights Junior High. He was a star running back. When it was time for High School, Allan desired to be a part of both his favorite sport and choir, however, both activities required full participation and commitment, leaving him with a difficult decision before him. His mother required that he spend the weekend weighing the possibilities. On Sunday night before his enrollment was due on Monday, he approached his mother with his decision and rationale. He had decided to give up football for choir. His rationale was he was a "little guy on the football field," and if he "got injured, my career would probably be over;" his rationale for choir, "Moma, I love music and I think that is what God wants me to do." That decision proved to be the right decision for Allan, and boy, how God blessed that choice! Allan was awarded a full scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1992 with a B.S. in Vocal Music Education. Upon graduation, his High School choir director, Janis Dawson, hired him as Choir Director for the Western Heights Junior High Music Program. Likewise, the coaching staff also made a coaching position for him with the Junior High football team. Allan often marveled at how God had allowed him, as a teacher, to support students in football and music. After a year at the High School, an opportunity arose for him to teach at John Glenn Elementary School and he excitingly took the position and found great joy pouring into the lives of elementary children.

He was then introduced to Great Expectations, a professional development organization for teachers, and was invited to be a summer mentor in 1995; in 2000 he left John Glenn and became a full-time mentor with Great Expectations for the next six years. As he pursued his passion, Allan became a sought-after mentor facilitator and in 2006 he started his business, Johnson Performance Systems. Allan loved traveling the world helping teachers and students in the United States, Africa, Canada and Europe develop innovative ways of teaching and learning in the new millennium.

When Allan returned to Oklahoma City after college graduation, he worshiped at Briarwood Baptist Church where he met a young lady named Jill Natalie Donihoo. They were married on July 6, 1996. To their union, three children were born: Lydia Nicole, Zoe Allayne and Nathan James. Allan's children were the apples of his eye. Though his marriage dissolved, Allan's love and participation in the lives of his children remained steadfast.

The Warrior's Journey

On May 21, 2015 after taking his children Zoe and Nathan to school before he went to Frontier City with a school he had been mentoring, Allan was stricken with a medical episode that left him with an anoxic brain injury. The medical episode was totally-out-of- the-blue, but Allan's wishes were not. During the recurring illness of his Aunt Denise in 2014, whose care he shared in, it was Allan who regularly reminded the family especially during the most grim prognoses that "as long as she fights, we too, must fight. We can't give up on her."

When Allan was initially unresponsive and doctors painted their grim picture of his future, the family heeded the doctors' advice and removed the ventilator. But because God's time had not fully come Allan started out-breathing the ventilator and in fact, began to breathe normally on his own. He was never again dependent upon a ventilator. It was clear ... Allan was fighting, so his mother, siblings, and other close family members made the decision to fight with and for him and Allan continued to confirm that he was indeed, fighting as he achieved countless things the doctors originally believed were impossible.

His mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law, along with some close friends sat in the ICU waiting room searching for some place in the country that treated anoxic brain injuries, since Oklahoma only offered care for traumatic brain injuries. Hence, the decision to fly Allan to Houston, where he and his mother relocated for one year of intense therapy for Allan, and training for the family as they prepared to care for him. That year provided many positives and possibilities, and prepared the family for the future. Allan's bonus brother Jim Johnson and family friends Delilah Hayes and Delecia Vanzant provided invaluable assistance and care in Houston. After Allan and his mother returned to Oklahoma, God was faithful to call a dedicated staff (many of whom became like family) to help the family care for Allan at home. In addition, Allan's childhood friend Amy Chlouber was tireless in her commitment to assist with Allan's therapy, plan Allan's birthday parties, holiday treats, and encourage the team. Allan fought, so his family fought alongside him as together, they waited on God.

A month before Allan's brain injury he had written his final Psalm to be sung on Sunday, May 24, 2015 in worship at the Crown Center Church (now New Life Church) where he was serving. Instead of that occurring as planned, on Saturday, May 23, 2015, the group that was to sing with Allan on Sunday, instead sang it to him in the ICU. The lyrics Allan wrote are as follows:

Jesus has you covered,
There's no need to fret,
Your life will bring Him glory,
Because He's not finished yet
He covers you with feathers,
Under His wings you will find rest,
His favor rests upon you
And you are truly blessed

Some people thought his family was making an unwise decision and let that be known - no, they were not unwise, they were being obedient to the Father's instruction to Allan's mother- "wait on Me." For 8 years, and 7 months they waited for God's perfect will for Allan. During those years they saw miracle after miracle occur in Allan's fight to live as he worked to regain some of what was lost. In the process, without using words, Allan led others to Christ. Allan also regularly practiced his alternative drums, keyboard and enjoyed praise and worship, the audio Bible, and sports, especially OU Sooner football. His spiritual and mental fortitude were profound. He also remained a muscular, strong man who would exhibit that strength if you pushed him. To his credit and our memorable pleasure, a good amount of Allan's work is recorded. His last CD, written and recorded in 2013, Finding Me was all written and performed by him, with production help from his brother Rob and other colleagues. While most of his recordings are Christian music, he and a childhood music colleague, David Hillis recorded a jazz CD entitled, Collaboration.
On Thursday, December 14, about 9:00 am, Allan communicated to his mother that his departure was close at hand. That Friday evening his sister/protector spoke to him by phone. About 1:00 am on December 16, his brother went into his room to bid him farewell. Allan passed the family mantle onto his little brother – he then turned his head, closed his eyes and breathed his last – no hospital – no hospice – no struggle – God's perfect will – the Warrior was at Rest.

Those greeting him upon his arrival were his maternal grandparents, James and Alveretta Sourie; his paternal grandparents, Alonzo and Ada Johnson; and many others from his bloodline, as well as an array of friends, teachers, mentors and colleagues. When he saw all of them again, we are certain it brought Allan great joy! But when he saw the One who died for him, anyone who really knows Allan can imagine him shouting his favorite word of excitement and joy, INCREDIBLE!

This Psalmist Warrior will forever be missed and lovingly remembered by: his mother, Frankye Johnson, his father, Alford (Al) Johnson, his stepmother, Alneeta Johnson, his children: Lydia, Zoe, and Nathan, his sister, Michelle Robinson (Michael), his brother, Robert Scott III (Carnita), his bonus siblings, James Johnson and Lori Jefferson; his maternal aunt, Beverleigh Sourie, his maternal aunt, Delores Marshall, his paternal uncle, Alonzo Johnson, Jr., his maternal uncles, Michael Sourie, Cecil Sourie; his cousin-brothers, James "Chris" Thomas (Demetris), Eric Sourie (Shauntae); his cousins, Taj Sourie (Drea), Courtneigh Sourie, CaShawna Sourie (Randy), Stephanie Williams (Philip), Michael Sourie II (Jennifer), Taylor Sourie; bonus nephew, Dexter McGriff, Jr. (Ellie); bonus nieces Maya McGriff, Janeeta McGriff, many cousins, other relatives and a host of people he called friends.

The Celebratory Service for Allan will commence on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Eleventh Hour in the most holy sanctuary of Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

You may visit Mr. Johnson, as he slumbers in peaceful repose in the sanctuary of New Life Church located at 13300 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, between the hours of 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM.

You may also visit him on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in the sanctuary of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church from 9:00 AM until 10:40 AM on the day of the services.

The Christian Committal will immediately follow the services in the Heritage Burial Park at South Lake in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

All floral arrangements can be delivered on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 between 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM at New Life Church located at 13300 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at Fairview Baptist Church located at 1700 N.E. 7th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73136.

For the man who had the heart of a "Psalmist" and the spirit of a "Warrior".

Feel free to visit: www.psalmistwarrior.org