Anne Merritt Johann

JOHANN, Anne Merritt, 83, died Friday morning, July 9, 2010 at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, Va. Anne was born in Richmond, the daughter of Daniel T. Merritt a Methodist Minister and Marian Starke Merritt. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Joseph P. Johann; brother, Daniel T. Merritt Jr.; two sisters, Marian S. Cooper and Conway M. Eberhard. She is survived by one daughter, Marian Johann Craighill and her husband, Preston; three sons, Richard Powell Johann and his wife, Nancy, Robert Merritt Johann and his wife, Carter, Peyton Randolph Johann and his wife, Sally; 12 grandchildren, Anne, Laura, Sally and Marian Craighill, Ellen Johann and Leigh Johann Kesler and her husband, Matt, Ned and Emmie Burns, Ben Johann and Victoria, Madeline and Peyton Johann. As the daughter of a Methodist Minister, Anne lived in many different towns and attended many different schools throughout Virginia. After high school she chose Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, following her oldest sister's lead and graduated in 1947, it's great impact was evident through her lifelong involvement with the college. She always had many stories to tell about her frequent moves as her father was assigned to new churches. The most interesting was coming home from college after her father took on a new church while she was at school and not knowing where her house was. When the bus driver found out she was the daughter of the Methodist Minister for the Reedville Church he knew right where to take her. After college Anne went to work for the State and in a typically Anne way, made a set of lifelong friends. This group would get together and exchange gifts every Christmas up until Anne's move to Lynchburg in 2004. Yet they had worked together for only a couple of years. Anne married Bo Johann and together they raised four children, she dedicated her life to her beloved family and remained a constant presence not only in her children's lives but her 12 grandchildren's as well. Anne lived life with grace, never uttering an unkind word and will always be remembered for her gentle demeanor and steadfast loyalty. Anne's soft presence will be missed by all. Anne was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, River Road Hills Garden Club, Tuckahoe Woman's Club and a volunteer at the Cerebral Palsy Center. She was also a fierce competitor on the Kanawha "C" Tennis Team! A committal service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 12, in Hollywood Cemetery, followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary Street Rd. The Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.