Mildred Smith Johnson

Norfolk – Mildred Ruth Smith Johnson, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully October 9, 2012 in Fairfax Hospital at 83 years of age. Formerly of Portsmouth, VA, she was born on January 8, 1929 and was the daughter of the late Gussie Crocker Smith and Edna Harris Smith. She was also predeceased by her cherished aunt, Mildred Harris Parker, and granddaughter, Kimberly Eve Gray, who she helped raise and loved with all her heart. Mildred was educated in the Portsmouth and Suffolk public school systems; received her two-year certificate to teach elementary school from James Madison University and matriculated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in elementary education. She taught within the Portsmouth and Chesapeake public school systems, and retired from Deep Creek Elementary School after 25 years of teaching first graders. Mildred continued to teach children and adults of Pinecrest Baptist Church where she and her husband raised their girls, as well as her life church, Jackson Memorial Baptist (JMBC) where she and her husband were married in 1948. She was the Choir Director at Pinecrest for many years, a member of the JMBC choir, on the planning committee which established the pre-school at JMBC and for over 40 years sang with the Portsmouth Baptist Association Choir. She sang professionally in a trio during the early years of her marriage and she and Marvin sang together in the Dick Barnes Chorale. Mildred served as the pianist for Victory Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, until February of this year. Mildred was a member of Miriam Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served in numerous stations and as the Worthy Matron with Marvin serving with her as Worthy Patron. They were on numerous committees and boards together including the Joy Group. In her spare time, Mildred helped many family and friends, with meals, delicious cakes, sending cards for every occasion and by singing whenever asked. During a holiday party at the Algonquin House where she and Marvin have been living the past six years, she was asked to sing and did so beautifully. She inspired her children and her daughter, Edna, and granddaughter, Kristen, have followed in her footsteps teaching elementary school in Fairfax, VA. Mildred enjoyed her time with her family the most and traveled with them almost every vacation; the beach was her favorite but their travels to Europe, Russia, Hawaii, Alaska and the west coast of the United States and Canada were some of her best memories. Mildred is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Marvin W. Johnson, her brother, William Smith of Richmond, VA; her daughter Marion Lidman and husband, Roger Lidman, M.D. of Norfolk; her daughter, Edna Kindley and husband George, of Fairfax; her granddaughter Kristen Wabuge and husband, George of Alexandria, her grandson Kevin Kindley of Norfolk; her sweet granddaughter Naomei Lidman of Norfolk and her precious great-granddaughter, Simone Wabuge of Alexandria. She is also survived by her nephews, Lindsay Smith of Richmond and Hunter Smith of Lexington and sisters and brothers-in-law and their families, all who loved her very much. Visitation for family and friends will be held from six to eight on Friday evening October 12th at Loving Funeral Home, 3225 Academy Avenue, Portsmouth. An Eastern Star Service will be held at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, October 13th at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in the Mausoleum Chapel, 3920 Airline Boulevard, Chesapeake. Family will receive visitors at their home in Norfolk, 7320 Glenroie Avenue, The Algonquin House, Apartment 3E, on Sunday, October 14th from two to four. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice or to the JMBC Music Fund.