James Edward Johnson Jr.

James Edward Johnson, Jr., DDS, 76, of Bedford, passed away Monday, February 18, 2008, at his residence. He was born on Friday, July 10, 1931, in Oliver, Ga., a son of the late James E. Johnson and Louise Boykin Johnson. He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville before joining the United States Army and serving in Japan. He graduated from the University of Richmond with honors in Math and Chemistry and from the Medical College of Virginia Dental School in 1962. He began his private dental practice in Bedford in 1963 and retired in 2000. He was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church since 1964, serving on various committees. Jim was a member of the Piedmont Dental Society having served as its president from 1989 to 1990. He was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Lions Club's Award; and was a past member of the board of directors of Bedford Memorial Hospital and the Bedford Area Family YMCA. He was a fellow of Virginia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry; the Gamma Sigma Epsilon Beta Chapter Chemistry Fraternity; the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentistry; the International College of Dentists and the Xi Psi Phi Fraternity. Surviving are his wife of forty-six years, Bernice Childress Johnson; his daughter, Pamela J. Jemmison and husband, Frank, of Chesapeake; his son, Richard A. Johnson and wife, Sue, of Hanover, Pa.; three grandchildren, Christian L. Jemmison, Taylor Alan Johnson and Finn Alan Johnson; and sister, Jeanette Davis, of Richmond. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Carilion Hospice of Bedford, P.O. Box 688, Bedford, Va. 24523, the Bernice Johnson Honorary Nursing Scholarship, c/o Bedford Memorial Hospital, 1613 Oakwood Street, Bedford, Va. 24523 or to Main Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 505, Bedford, Va. 24523. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Main Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Milton Marks, the Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass Jr. and the Rev. Wayne Murphy officiating. Interment with Military Honors by American Legion Post #16 will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, February 22, 2008, after 12 noon and the family will receive friends on Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, Va.