James Earl Johnson, 73, of Clanton died Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Chilton Medical Center in Clanton.

He was born on Monday, Jan. 16, 1939, in Chilton County, son of the late Glades Earl Johnson and the late Nora Bell Popwell Johnson.

He was a former Chilton County Sheriff’s Deputy and Chief Deputy, City of Clanton Chief of Police, Chilton County Tax Assessor and Chilton County Sheriff.

He had a total of 46 years in law enforcement.

Surviving are wife, Bettie J. Johnson of Clanton; daughter, Pam Mallery of Clanton; son, Wade (Angie) Johnson of Clanton; two granddaughters, Jessica Mims of Clanton, Shelby Mallery of Cheyenne, Wyo.; five grandsons, Tyler Mims of Clanton, Josh Johnson of Clanton, Jordan Johnson of Clanton, John Michael Johnson of Clanton and Stephen (Abbie) Mallery of Oxford, Ga.; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Anita (Ricky) Smitherman of Clanton, Jackie (Herman) Staggs of Clanton and Burnice (Ray) Jones of Clanton; and brother, David Popwell of Clanton.

He was preceded in death by Glades and Nora Bell Johnson, parents; James and Estell Popwell, birth parents; Carl Popwell, brother; and Ella Mae Wright, sister.

Friends will be received from 9–11 a.m., Saturday, July 21 at Liberty Hill Baptist Church.

Services will be held Saturday, July 21 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Kent Dodson officiating.

Interment will follow in Liberty Hill Baptist Cemetery in Clanton.

You may leave online condolences for the family at www.martinfuneralhome.com.

Martin Funeral Home directing.