David Johnson, Jr.

Salisbury – Dr. David Johnson, Jr. (78) made his heavenly transition on  Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, MD.

 Born in Wilson, NC, he was the son of the late David Johnson, Sr. and Essie (Barnes) Johnson.

 He received his formal education in the public schools of Wilson, NC and graduated as Valedictorian from Springfield High School.  Upon graduation, he matriculated at North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC, receiving a B.A. degree in English.  He did further studies at the former Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University, receiving a Master’s degree in Education and a P.H.D. in Educational Administration/English Supervision from the former Union Institute, now Union University in Cincinnati, OH.

His teaching career which spanned some 56 years, began as a teacher of English, Drama and Speech at the former Burgaw High School in NC.  In 1963 he became an English teacher at the former Salisbury High School, in Salisbury, MD, until its closing.  He also taught at James M. Bennett Sr. High School; became the vice-principal of Wicomico High School and principal of Parkside High School, all in Salisbury.  He returned to James M. Bennett High School, retiring in 2001.  Dr. Johnson was also the adjunct-professor at the former Sojourner College, now Sojourner University and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore until his health declined in 2017.

 Dr. Johnson was a member of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church where he was a former Sunday School teacher and Men’s Day chairman. 

He was the owner and operator of “Mr. Softee” Ice Cream truck, which he operated in the summers for about 40 years.

His civic and community involvements include membership in the Wicomico County Retired Tearchers’ Personnel Assoc., the Maryland State Retired Teachers’ Personnel Assoc., N.E.A., NAACP, president of the Eastern Shore Chapter of North Carolina A&T Alumni Assoc.; Alumni student body president of the Springfield High School and member of the American Cancer Society, Men’s Cancer Support Group/Relay For Life.

His survivors include his wife of 53 years: Mae P. Johnson; two children: Etahe and David Emieke Johnson, all of Salisbury, MD; two granddaughters: Daijah and Daniyah Johnson; three siblings: Fred (Andria) Johnson, Frances (Charles) Williams and Shirley Purnell; two sisters-in-law: Minister Allie Page-Jordan (Henry) and Beverly Page-Barksdale; a special “son:” Lamont Hall and a host of nieces and nephews.

 A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the Ella Fitzgerald Center at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coastal Hospice (Coastal Hospice.org), P. O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21804 or the David Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o St. James A.M.E. Zion Church, 521 Mack Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801. 

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