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Johnny P. Johnson , 86, of Spotsylvania, passed peacefully to eternal rest on Saturday morning, November 5, 2022, at Mary Washington Hospital. Truly, his journey here on earth was a life well-lived — and well-loved.

Johnny was born on January 30, 1936, in Henderson, North Carolina. He was the youngest child of the late Johnny Plummer Johnson, Sr., and Viola Evans Johnson.

Mr. Johnson attended the then segregated schools of Henderson. He was a very proud graduate of The Henderson Institute, which he generously continued to support through its active alumni association. Over the years, he would make frequent trips to Henderson to help develop his school alma mater into an active and successful model for other similar alumni organizations. Johnny was a Charter Board Member and an active supporter of the Henderson Institute Graduates and Former Students Association, Inc.

A graduate of Virginia State College (now University), he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art in 1958. There he pledged Omega Psi Fraternity Inc. and became a member of the Nu Psi Chapter.  A very proud Virginia State Trojan, he was captain of the college's basketball team. In 1994, he was elected to the school's Sports Hall of Fame as a legendary point guard. He later pursued graduate studies at Howard University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts. Later, he continued his studies at the Corcoran School of Art.

Johnny had often dreamed of moving to New York  City, where he'd become a famous artist, but God had a different calling for him. In 1959, he moved to Fredericksburg for what he originally thought would be a brief time of teaching at the segregated Walker-Grant School. Johnny quickly became immersed in the culture of the school, serving in various roles as elementary school teacher, high school art teacher, coach, and assistant principal. There he also mentored and guided many of the school's students and graduates as they proudly assumed productive roles in their respective communities across the country.

What began as a brief job evolved into a life of commitment to family, church, community, and the arts here in Fredericksburg.

It was at Walker-Grant that Johnny first met Jean Blackstock, whom he married in 1961. They were both teaching on the same floor, and as Johnny liked to say, "I walked by her room a lot!" To this beautiful union were born their devoted sons, Shelton and John Patrick. As the sons' respective families expanded, Johnny gained daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. He was always very supportive and extremely proud of each and every one. He had a special way of making each one feel — and believe — that they were his favorite. His dedicated relationship with his family was greatly admired by all and became a model for many young people, especially young men without fathers in their homes. Johnny always demonstrated his belief that family was always important. For Johnny, family was in front of everything else except God.

While at Walker-Grant, Johnny and Jean joined a cadre of outstanding teachers who wholistically poured themselves into the lives of their students. Although many were economically disadvantaged, they were able to thrive academically with the support and guidance of their teachers. Despite the school's unequal facilities and inadequately supported programs, students excelled. When the public schools of Fredericksburg began desegregation in 1968, he became an art teacher at James Monroe High School.

Johnny's professional life as an outstanding educator was a true calling. He taught on every level from grade school to college, including serving as the first African American member of the teaching staff at Mary Washington College and serving as a faculty member at Germanna Community College. He also conducted many workshops and community classes, too numerous to list, including classes for adults at the Dorothy Hart Community Center for over 30 years. He also taught art to young African Americans at the Harambee 360° Experimental Theater, where he served as board member, and at the Anne Hamrick Community House. His enthusiasm and skills as an educator were recognized by the state of Virginia as its "Teacher of the Year" in 1977. He was the first art teacher to receive this prestigious honor.

As a compassionate advocate for young people, Johnny had a profound and long-lasting impact on the many students of diverse backgrounds whom he taught, coached, and mentored over the years. He was not only the favorite teacher of thousands of his students, but he was also the source of great wisdom and accountability. Johnny was instrumental in the very smooth transition of the Fredericksburg City Public Schools from a segregated to desegregated system. Many of his students continued to maintain regular contact with him long after they left school, some for over 65 years.

A very strong and devout Christian, Johnny joined Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) shortly after he arrived in Fredericksburg. He assumed numerous roles over the years, including Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School superintendent. He supported many ministries, such as the home and foreign mission committees and the Faith and Hope Club, which benefited greatly from the art works he donated to their annual Fall Yard Sale. It was obvious that he really loved the Lord and Shiloh Old Site.

A devoted Life Member of the Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. for over 68 years, he served in many offices, including Basileus of the Tau Rho Chapter in Fredericksburg. Johnny was a strong advocate and supporter of the Chapter's scholarship program. Because of his work, he received numerous accolades and honors from the Fraternity.

Johnny also served as a board member and supporter of the Rappahannock Area United Way, Rappahannock Area Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the American Cancer Society. He was also a member of the Fredericksburg Jaycees (one of the first two African American members), Walker-Grant Alumni Association, and the Twenty Gentlemen Social Club.

A leader on social issues, Johnny had long been committed to finding common ground between diverse communities. The "first black man" in several institutions and organizations, he brought grace, good humor, and common sense to the table as he publicly expressed and defended his beliefs about the importance of equality for all. He was an active member of several human relations organizations, including the Fredericksburg Council on Human Relations (which he served as President), the Fredericksburg Area Community Relations Organization (FACRO), and the Multicultural Organization for Racial Equality (MORE). He also served on the City of Fredericksburg's Equal Opportunity Commission.

During the civil rights protests immediately following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he founded the Young Men's Club to channel the energy of local young black males into constructive efforts. Johnny also served as a long-time charter member of the Harambee 360° Experimental Theater, Inc., which was founded to instill pride in black youth. He  was a major supporter of its signature initiatives, the Black Arts Festival and the Miss Black Teenage Fredericksburg Pageant. He also was a long-time member and ardent supporter of the Fredericksburg Branch NAACP.

A well-revered and respected leader in the Fredericksburg arts community, Johnny was considered to be one of its most significant figures. He was a founding member of the Art First Gallery of Fredericksburg. He participated and won numerous awards in many art shows, and his art was featured in galleries and walls across the state and nation, as well as internationally. He has mentored many young artists in this community, who greatly admired him as a peer, mentor, teacher, benefactor, and phenomenal leader.

Johnny has also contributed significantly to cultural diplomacy through participation in the U.S. Department of State's Art in Embassies Program,  sharing the story of our country while making countless friends through his paintings and endearing persona. Following a visit to Benin, West Africa, he spearheaded an Art for Africa Support group to assist struggling African artists by providing art supplies and equipment.

He also enhanced the relationship between Fredericksburg and its sister cities in Frejus, France, and Prince's Town, Ghana, through his visits and exchanges with the residents of those communities. His paintings at the official United States residence in Montenegro and his exhibit at the Mutual Art Gallery in Jamaica to celebrate Jamaica 's 50th Independence received rave reviews.

As a philanthropist who contributed financially to many organizations, Johnny also donated tens of thousands of dollars of paintings for charitable and educational causes in the community, including Rappahannock United Way and Mary Washington Hospital. His paintings enabled many smaller organizations to survive and thrive, often being one of their most significant funding sources. The many paintings he donated to the Black Arts Festival for its annual live auctions ensured the continued operation of the Festival and Harambee 360° for many years. In addition to the financial support these donations provided, Johnny's efforts opened the world of art and its timeless, lasting, and transformative power for many people.

Johnny received many awards and recognitions for his outstanding service as an artist, teacher, and humanitarian. He was always very humble about receiving recognition for doing that which he was required and called to do as a Servant Leader. In the past few years, he was particularly appreciative of the community's salute to him for his many contributions. Especially meaningful to him was the Johnny P. Johnson Day, July 7, 2018, and Germanna Community College's 2019 Philanthropist of the Year award. Although somewhat embarrassed by these recognitions, he often remarked that he had been "given his flowers while he could still smell them."

Johnny was predeceased by his parents, Johnny Plummer Johnson, Sr., and Viola Johnson-Hicks, and his sister, Helen Johnson-Bivens.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean B. Johnson; his devoted sons, Shelton and John Patrick (Andrea); his loving grandchildren, Kaila, Cameron, Jordan, Brandon, and Jada; his special great granddaughter, Mela; many nieces and nephews; his cousins; and his countless friends, students, mentees, and admirers.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Friday, November 18, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour before the funeral service. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM. There will be no admittance into the chapel for a viewing after 6:30 PM due to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity ceremony. A funeral service will be held at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Click here to access a live streaming of the funeral service via Zoom. Please utilize the Zoom Webinar ID 835 5955 7201. The interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) Foreign or Home Missions, 801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401; the Johnny P. Johnson Art Scholarship of the Partnership for Academic Excellence, P.O. Box 7052, Fredericksburg, VA 22404; or Virginia State University, Office of Institutional Advancement, PO Box 9027, Virginia State University, VA 23806.