Elnora O. Johnson

Elnora O. Johnson

Elnora Mary Overley Johnson, 89, of Fredericksburg passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, at Carriage Hill Rehab & Nursing Center. She was the widow of John "Jack" Janney Johnson.

Born in Wheeling, W.Va., she spent her childhood in South America and Cuba before moving to Richmond and then to Fredericksburg in 1933.

Elnora graduated from James Monroe High School in 1935, received her B.A. from Mary Washington College and her M.B.A. from Indiana University. She began her teaching career at Kempsville in the Norfolk area and continued at James Monroe High School.

After World War II, she taught for the Army in Okinawa. She then joined civil service, spending a year in London and traveling extensively. Returning stateside, she taught at RPI, now VCU, in the business department for seven years. She married Jack Johnson in 1962 and they settled in Fredericksburg.

Elnora was a devoted member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and active in the United Methodist Women and Altar Guild. She also was worship chair and a member of the administrative board. She was in charge of the Fredericksburg Meals-on-Wheels program for a number of years, and she and her husband, Jack, helped found the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter.

She served as a trustee of Mary Washington Hospital and the Kenmore Association. She was a member of the Ann Page Garden Club, Fredericksburg Literary Club, Rappahannock Chapter of the Colonial Dames of America, Ladies Memorial Association of Fredericksburg, Meridian Club, Association of American University Women and HFFI, and was a founding member of the Center for Creative Arts.

Elnora served on the Fredericksburg School Board as a member and chairwoman during the complete integration of Fredericksburg public schools. She received the Citizen Salute Award from the Friends of the Mary Washington College-Community Orchestra in 1997.

She was predeceased by her brother, Sam Overley. She is survived by her sister, Florence Overley Ridderhof of Fredericksburg; her sister-in-law, Kindy Overley of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a niece, Edith Ridderhof; six neph-ews, David, John and Phillip Ridderhof, and Sam, Tyler and Jonathan Overley; nine great-nephews and -nieces; and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Interment will be private in Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Foundation, 308 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, Va., 22401.