Johnny Goodley, Sr. was born October 12, 1950 in Sumter, South Carolina to the late Susie Mae Swinton and the late Wilton O'Neal Britton.

Johnny transitioned into eternal rest on October 16, 2025 in Sumter, South Carolina at Prisma Tuomey Hospital.

During Johnny's first years, he was raised by his grandparents, Eula Mae Goodley and Cleveland Goodley, in a Christian home.  It was here that he was raised alongside his aunts and uncles, as siblings.  Upon Eula Mae's untimely death, Johnny went to live with his mother and later his sister, Linda, was born.

Johnny received his education from the public schools of Sumter, South Carolina.  In high school, Johnny worked an apprenticeship at the local cleaners where he was a dedicated employee.  When he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968, Johnny took up the charge to enlist in the Army in June of that year.  Johnny's station of entry was Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was later transferred to St. Louis, Missouri.  He was later deployed to Vietnam, where he served in 2 deployments in 1969 and 1970.

While in Vietnam, Johnny was wounded, which is where he earned his Purple Heart.  When his original three year term expired in 1971, Johnny was honorably discharged from the Army and transitioned into the United States Reserves, where he remained for 12 years.  He then spent 1 year in the National Guard. While in the Army, Johnny earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart.

Johnny met the love of his life in Columbia, South Carolina and married Ella Mae White on August 15, 1970, where they recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.  From this union, they had four children—Edward Gregory Goodley, Tatyana Rochelle Goodley Harris, Johnny Goodley, Jr. and Natasha Lashonda Goodley.

Johnny went on to attend college at Morris College and Central Carolina Technical College, where he earned two degrees.  He worked for various industrial plants, Campbell Soup, Bendix, Square D, and later at the U.S. Postal Service.  He later transitioned to Gold Kist where he remained for several years, until he took a position at Palmetto Pigeon Plant where he was the Plant Manager.  Johnny remained there until his retirement.

Upon retiring, Johnny got heavily involved in assisting veterans with activating their earned benefits.  Johnny helped to co-found the Sumter South Carolina Combat Veterans Group in February of 2011, which is still thriving today.  Through the Veterans Group, Johnny served as the Commander for several years. Under his leadership, the organization grew, thrived and assisted with community outreach in Sumter, South Carolina.  Johnny was also a member of the General George L. Mabry Jr. Military Order of The Purple Heart Chapter – 817 of Sumter, South Carolina.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Susie Mae Swinton and Wilton O'Neil Britton, his grandparents Eula Mae Perry Goodley and Cleveland Goodley, his father's wife, Catherine Britton, his brother Jimmy China, and his daughter-in-law, Mary Goodley.

Johnny leaves to cherish his devoted wife, Ella Mae Goodley; his four children, Edward Gregory Goodley of Brandon, FL, Tatyana R. Goodley Harris of Seffner, FL, Johnny Goodley, Jr.  of Augusta, GA, and Natasha Goodley of Tampa, FL; his siblings, Ruth Demby (Keith) of Palmdale, CA, Deborah Carter (Kenneth) of Piedmont, SC,  Melody Rivers (Ivan) of Suffolk, VA, Olin Britton, Sr (Betty) of Columbia, SC, Larry Britton (Brenda) of Sumter, SC, Warten Valentine (Marino) of Greer, SC, Wanda Richie of Fountain Inn, SC, Renay Burchell (Craig) of Columbia, SC, Charles James (Catherine) of Sumter, SC, Linda Hadley (Gerry) of Palm Bay, FL; his sister-in-law Louise China of Rembert, SC; uncles who are like brothers, Willie Goodley of Sumter, SC, Freddie Goodley (Jeannette) of Sumter, SC, Melvin Goodley of Columbia, SC; aunts who are like sisters, Virginia Harvin of Branford, CT, Katie Holmes (Charles) of Augusta, GA; grandchildren Jhabriella-Amber Harris of Seffner, FL, Hasan Harris (Alex) of Tampa, FL, Trayvon Johnson of Sumter, SC, Brianna Miles of Brandon, FL, Johnny Dillon Goodley of Sumter, SC, Malik-AsMar Harris of Seffner, FL, Johnella Goodley of Augusta, GA, and Johniya Goodley of Sumter, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and his best friend, his "brother from another mother," Franklin "Ted" Godwin.

Family will receive friends at the home, 207 Alexander Place, Sumter, SC 29150 daily from 4-8pm.

Job's Mortuary, Inc., 312 South Main Street, Sumter is in charge of arrangements.