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Dr. Whitman Johnson Jr.

1928 - 2016

Dr.  Whitman Johnson Jr. obituary, 1928-2016, Clarksdale, MS

BORN

1928

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home

314 E 2nd Street

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Whitman Johnson Obituary

Dr. Whitman B. Johnson, Jr.

Clarksdale

Dr. Whitman B. Johnson, Jr., died on March 4, 2016, after a short illness. He was surrounded by his family and several colleagues at the time of his passing.

Whit was born on December 2, 1928 in the Clarksdale Hospital, which he ultimately purchased many years later as the office from which he practiced. He was the only child of Whit Johnson and Nell Collins Johnson and was a lifelong resident of Clarksdale, save only for the time during which he was pursuing his life's ambition to be a doctor. He was recognized in the Mississippi Delta as an excellent athlete, lettering in football in the 9th grade, and then becoming an All Big 8 basketball player in high school after quitting football due to a knee injury. He was also the Mississippi state high school tennis champion. He could still recite the sign-off announcement for radio station WROX, where he was a nighttime disc jockey while in high school. He started the Clarksdale High School track team, holding the state record in the 100 yard dash for many years, and along with his best friend, Jimmy Peterson, won numerous doubles tennis titles in the Mississippi Delta. He was also a member of the Stardusters, a dance band that played around north Mississippi. After graduating from Clarksdale High School, he attended college and the first two years of medical school at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. He finished his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, following which he did a five year surgical residency in Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to the hometown he loved and began practicing medicine at Baptist Hospital on July 1, 1960. He practiced many years as a surgeon and then in his later life as a family practice physician, working all the way up until the day before he entered the hospital for his final illness.

On August 22, 1953, he married Kathryn Ready of Jackson, who became the quintessential Delta lady as well as his staunchest supporter. During their 62 years of marriage, they had three sons.

Whit was well respected as a physician on the local, state, and national level. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons and served as the President of the Mississippi State Medical Association in 1983-84.

Over the years, his hobbies and interests included golf, Ole Miss football, and flying his airplane that he shared with several good friends. He also formed the Clarksdale Woodwind Ensemble and for many years hosted its practices at his home. His true passion, however, was serving his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and its residents.

Dr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Whitman B. Johnson and Nell Collins Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Ready Johnson; and three sons, Whitman B. Johnson III (George) of Jackson, Mississippi; Ready Joseph Johnson (Kathy) of Houston, Texas; and Rochester M. Johnson (Brooke) of Arlington, Virginia. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Ann Boswell Carlson (Chris); Collins Johnson; and Whitman B. Johnson IV.

Visitation was held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, March 7th and from 10:00-11:00 on Tuesday, March 8th at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. Services will follow Tuesday's visitation at 11:00 am. Memorials in lieu of flowers are requested for St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee or St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church.

Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home Clarksdale, MS is handling arrangements.

Published by Clarion Ledger on Mar. 8, 2016.
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6 Entries

I Am sorry for your loss Dr Johnson was a good doctor he was my family doctor he all away see me when I call on him he took care of my father all the way to my mom and aunt my cond goes out to the family

Willie Mae Johnson

May 30, 2017

joseph watson

May 17, 2017

Catherine and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I use to work for Dr. Johnson. I realled Love d him. His work ethic and compassion for People. I always enjoyed visiting with you at Nells Beauty Shop. Prayers and Much Love. Phyllis Dougan Doss.

Phyllis Doss

September 8, 2016

Kathryn,

I am truly sorry to hear this news about Whitman. On a whim, I googled Whitman's name and learned that he had passed away.

We went through 12 years of schooling at Clarksdale. Whit was one of the nicest people I have ever known. While I haven't seen him in many and may years I still fondly remember our years together. I played the cornet in the Stardusters during the years 1943-47 when we graduated. He was a good friend and a fine individual.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

Maurice Labens
Waco, Texas 76710

Maurice Labens

September 4, 2016

Miss Cathrine and Family, Im so sorry to hear about your Loss. I thought so much of Dr. Johnson. I worked for him when his office was in the old Hospital. Much Love and Prayers Phyllis Dougan Doss.

March 10, 2016

Hi Whit and George, sorry to read about your father's passing. Please know that I am thinking of you at this time. Andy Lambeth

March 8, 2016

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Memorial Events
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Mar

8

Visitation

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church

MS

Mar

8

Service

11:00 a.m.

St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church

MS

Funeral services provided by:

Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home

314 E 2nd Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614

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