HJ553: Celebrating the life of Darnell Johnson.
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson, an active member of the Chesapeake community and a respected educator with a commitment to lifelong learning, died on November 9, 2017; and
WHEREAS, born in Henderson, North Carolina, Darnell Johnson attended Elizabeth City State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics and was captain of the football team and president of the student government association; he then earned a graduate degree from the University of Kentucky in 1977, a certificate from Old Dominion University in 1986, and a doctorate from The George Washington University in 2000; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated educator, Darnell Johnson spent 30 years in the Portsmouth Public Schools, first as a mathematics teacher and assistant principal and later as a community school liaison and principal at the New Directions Center and Churchland Middle School; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from the Portsmouth Public Schools in 2004, Darnell Johnson embarked on a second career in higher education; he served as Hampton University’s assistant dean of education and then returned to his alma mater Elizabeth City State University, where he served as an endowed professor and chair of the mathematics department; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson taught at Elizabeth City State University for over a decade and was one of its most popular and successful professors; following his retirement in 2015, he remained active with the university by assisting with pre-college outreach; and
WHEREAS, outside of his distinguished teaching career, Darnell Johnson gave back to his community by serving as an officer with the New Chesapeake Men for Progress and the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Educational Foundation, Inc., as well as by serving as chaplain at the Portsmouth City Jail; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson was happiest when spending time with family, supporting Elizabeth City State University, and watching his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys; a man of strong faith, he enjoyed fellowship and worship at Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Stephanie; his daughter, Dawn, and her family; and countless other family members, friends, and Chesapeake residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Darnell Johnson, a devoted educator who gave generously of his time in service to his community; 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 Darnell Johnson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 553
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson, an active member of the Chesapeake community and a respected educator with a commitment to lifelong learning, died on November 9, 2017; and
WHEREAS, born in Henderson, North Carolina, Darnell Johnson attended Elizabeth City State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics and was captain of the football team and president of the student government association; he then earned a graduate degree from the University of Kentucky in 1977, a certificate from Old Dominion University in 1986, and a doctorate from George Washington University in 2000; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated educator, Darnell Johnson spent 30 years in the Portsmouth Public Schools, first as a mathematics teacher and assistant principal and later as a community school liaison and principal at the New Directions Center and Churchland Middle School; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from the Portsmouth Public Schools in 2004, Darnell Johnson embarked on a second career in higher education; he served as Hampton University’s assistant dean of education and then returned to his alma mater at Elizabeth City State University, where he served as an endowed professor and chair of the mathematics department; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson taught at Elizabeth City State University for over a decade and was one of its most popular and successful professors; following his retirement in 2015, he remained active with the university by assisting with pre-college outreach; and
WHEREAS, outside of his distinguished teaching career, Darnell Johnson gave back to his community by serving as an officer with the New Chesapeake Men for Progress and the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Educational Foundation, Inc., as well as by serving as chaplain at the Portsmouth City Jail; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson was happiest when spending time with family, supporting Elizabeth City State University, and watching his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys; a man of strong faith, he enjoyed fellowship and worship at Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth; and
WHEREAS, Darnell Johnson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Stephanie; daughter, Dawn, and her family; and countless other family members, friends, and Chesapeake residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Darnell Johnson, a devoted educator who gave generously of his time in service to his community; 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 Darnell Johnson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.