Graphet Eldee Johnson

Graphet Eldee Johnson, 89, of 1609 Summit Drive, Waynesboro, died on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Augusta Health. He was born on November 20, 1921, in Roanoke, Va., son of Edward B. Johnson and Grace B. Campbell Johnson.

He graduated from Jefferson Senior High School, Roanoke, Va., in the class of 1940.

Graphet served in the United States Army during World War II. While stationed in California, he won the Marksmanship Medal the first day and was immediately made Riffle Instructor. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon for serving 27 months in the Aleutian Islands.

After the war, he returned to his job with DuPont in Richmond, Va., and was transferred in 1958 to the Waynesboro, Va., plant. He enjoyed his job as supervisor of transportation and maintenance, retiring after 45 years service.

He was a former member of the Elks for 27 years and 17 years in Ladd Ruritan Club. Graphet joined the Waynesboro Country Club after retiring and enjoyed the game of golf and the fellowship that went with it. He was a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter of AARP where he served in various offices of the Chapter. He also served in various capacities on the AARP State Legislative branch. He was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Barry Blake Johnson at age 10; three sisters, Louise Flora and her husband, Forrest, Florence Booth and her husband, Bill, and Beatrice Deel and her husband, Jake.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 67 years, Doris Blake Johnson, of Waynesboro; one daughter, Suzanne Johnson Cantrell and her husband, David, of Stuarts Draft, their children, David J. Cantrell, Samuel E. Cantrell and his wife, Kylie; son, Glenn L. Johnson and his wife, Shelby, of Chesapeake, Va., and their children, Jennifer Johnson Gomez and her husband, Ascencion III, children, Ascencion IV and Alyssa; Gregory Everett Johnson and Erin Rachel Johnson Lake and husband, Robert Lake III. Also surviving are Peggy Jo Markham, a special niece and husband, Charles; nephews, Wayne Deel, Bobby Deel, and Michael Deel.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at McDow Funeral Home.

A service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in the chapel of McDow Funeral Home by Dr. Jon Lovelady. Interment will follow in Augusta Memorial Park, with honors conducted by American Legion Post #340.

Active pallbearers will be George Petty III, David J. Cantrell, Samuel E. Cantrell, Gregory E. Johnson, Robert Ira Lake III, and Ascencion Gomez III.

Those wishing to share their memories with the family online may do so at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com