Virginia Johnson

Virginia Kibler Johnson CHARLOTTE - Mrs. Johnson, 99, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on June 21, 2012 at Presbyterian Hospital. She was born on January 19, 1913 in Newberry, SC, the daughter of the late John Jacob Kibler and Nell Virginia Radcliffe Kibler. Virginia moved to Morven, NC, her mother's home town, at the age of four. She graduated from Morven High School in 1930 and enrolled in Greensboro College (now UNC-Greensboro). She was a gifted student, graduating second in the senior class of 1934. In addition to holding a BA, she also completed graduate work in education at UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 1934, Virginia began a career in elementary education which lasted 38 years. She taught at schools in Mt. Gilead (1934-36), Marshville (1936-37), Morven (1937-44), and in Charlotte (1946-77). 'Mrs. Johnson' is often mentioned as their "very favorite teacher" by Charlotte students who attended Midwood, Merry Oaks, and Devonshire Elementary. On January 6, 1942, Virginia Kibler married the love of her life, James Theodore Johnson. They had attended school together from the first grade through graduation in Morven. After their wedding and a brief honeymoon in Raleigh, the new bridegroom received orders to report for duty immediately. As an officer with H&S Company, 40th Combat Engineers, James Johnson participated in five campaigns and two invasions, and was awarded the Legion of Merit. James and Virginia Johnson moved to Charlotte when he returned to civilian life in 1945. They joined First United Methodist Church in 1956. Over the next four decades, Virginia served on a number of boards, and in the United Methodist Women (UMW), including as a circle leader, UMW president, and district UMW vice-president. For fifty years, Virginia was also an active member of the Order of Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Matron of Charlotte Chapter 294 of the OES and also as Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Following retirement from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in 1977, Virginia became active in the Mecklenburg Historical Association Docent Program at the Hezekiah Alexander House and Historic Rosedale. She particularly enjoyed conducting tours in period clothing for CMS school children at the Hezekiah Alexander House. She often laughed and told the story of one young visitor who had politely asked whether she had known the Alexander family during the Revolutionary War. Hers was a life well-lived. She taught us best by her own example of faith, dignity, and love. Mrs. Johnson is survived by a daughter, Dr. Kathryn V. Johnson of Charlotte; granddaughter, Ms. Nora Yasmine Esmat of Seattle, WA; and nephew, Mr. John Everett Kibler and wife, Diane Eagle Kibler of Monroe, NC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Theodore Johnson and a brother, Richard Everett Kibler. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25th, at First United Methodist Church, 501 North Tryon Street (parking in the 9th St. garage). Graveside services will take place at 4 p.m. that afternoon at Morven Cemetery, Morven, NC. The visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, June 24, 2012 at Harry & Bryant Company, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Hospice & Palliative Care, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549 or to First United Methodist Church, 501 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Condolences may also be expressed at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.