NASHVILLE (BP) – Former Southern Baptist Foundation President Hollis E. Johnson, III. died Dec. 29 at the age of 90. Johnson led the foundation from 1977 until 2002.
During his tenure at the SBF, it grew from $17 million in assets to more than $226 million, according to a 2002 Baptist Press story marking his retirement.
“He was a true ambassador for the services and mission of our organization. His leadership and dedication greatly contributed to our success and growth,” said Warren Peek, SBF president.
The foundation’s website says it seeks “to advance God’s kingdom by providing financial services and encouraging Christian stewardship.”
Johnson was preceded in death by his wife, Celeste Morrison Johnson, in 2018 after 57 years of marriage. They were active members of Belmont Heights Baptist Church where he served as a Bible teacher.
Upon his retirement in 2002, Johnson said he planned to invest his time in his church.
“There’s no place like the local church to do God’s work. That’s where most of my time and energy will end up — doing kingdom work at Belmont Heights,” Johnson told BP.
He graduated from Vanderbilt University and was a co-captain of the Commodore baseball team. He went on to serve his country by graduating from Naval Officer Candidate School and serving as an engineering officer on the USS Hammerberg.
Before coming to the foundation, Johnson worked at the First American National Bank in the Nashville area, being promoted as high as vice president.
Following Kendall Berry’s retirement from the foundation in 1976, a trustee reached out to see if Johnson would consider leading the organization.
“It is awesome to look back and see how everything I did was God-inspired, leading me to this place,” Johnson told Baptist Press in 2002.
Then-SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman said in 2002 that Johnson’s legacy would be that he left the foundation “built upon the ‘solid rock,’ both spiritually and fiscally.”
“He had the intuitive ability to put together an excellent staff and has established good rapport with the foundation’s constituency and state foundation executives,” Chapman said.
Johnson never lost his love for sports as he counted it a privilege to coach youth baseball and football for 30 years.
He is survived by his children, Hollis E. Johnson IV (Terri) and Martha Settle Johnson and his grandchildren, Marie Rose and Hollis V, and his brother, Robert M. Johnson.
A gathering of family and friends is scheduled Jan. 5, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville, with a celebration of life service at 2:30 p.m.
Peek said Johnson’s passion for the foundation leaves a legacy for future generations.
“Hollis will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working with him,” he said.
Related posts:
SBC DIGEST: Litton to address UM graduation; Ohio Baptists to sell Seneca Lake facility 
‘Christmas Eve in a box’: COVID-19 surge reshapes Christmas worship 
YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 12 most-read stories in 2024 
FIRST-PERSON: How to bring joy to your pastor 
North Carolina pastor arrested on sexual exploitation charges 
4 entity heads address messenger questions 
‘Jersey’ impacts Ohio & the world 
More than 13,000 registered for Send Conference
