HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 394 Offered February 27, 2006 Celebrating the life of Ardell C. Johnson. ----------
Patrons-- BaCote, Albo, Alexander, Athey, Barlow, Brink, Bulova, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hogan, Howell, W.J., Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, S.C., Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McEachin, McQuigg, Miller, Moran, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Poisson, Putney, Rapp, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Sickles, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Watts, Welch and Wittman; Senator: Locke
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WHEREAS, Ardell C. Johnson of Newport News, a compassionate community supporter and respected businesswoman, died on February 10, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Ardell Johnson was born on January 29, 1925, was educated in the public schools in Ahoskie, North Carolina, and believed in the importance of an education; and

WHEREAS, Ardell Johnson attended Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia; graduated from DeShazar's Beauty College in Durham, North Carolina; and received certification from the Wella Institute in Darmstadt, Germany; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong learner, Ardell Johnson continued her education at what is now St. Leo College in Florida and worked hard to complete advanced education courses at Old Dominion University and what is now Virginia State University; and

WHEREAS, in her early career as a cosmetologist, Ardell Johnson worked for the United States Army post beauty shops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Lee and Fort Eustis in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1957 Ardell Johnson repeatedly lobbied the post commander until he integrated the post beauty shops and allowed service to African-American women; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life for her neighbors, Ardell Johnson mentored young people, helped them find jobs within the community, and taught by example the values of self-respect and self-esteem; and

WHEREAS, Ardell Johnson served as a cosmetology instructor at the Virginia State School in Hampton and Madam Daniels' Beauty College in Newport News; and

WHEREAS, an experienced businesswoman managing her own successful salon, Ardell Johnson served on the Virginia State Board for Cosmetology; and

WHEREAS, Ardell Johnson will be fondly remembered for her kindness and her positive attitude and missed by her family, her numerous friends and admirers, and the congregation of First Baptist Church of Denbigh; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Ardell C. Johnson; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Ardell C. Johnson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.