Henry Johnson

Henry Belt Johnson, 102, died peacefully in his home Friday, December 8, 2017 after a brave effort to recover from a broken hip.    He was born on August 9, 1915 in South Boston, Virginia to Leon Eidson and Bessie Trent Shepherd Johnson.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Isabelle Marie Pyle Johnson, his parents and four siblings. He is survived by his children, Anne Trent Johnson (Bohdan Boyko) of Williamsburg, Virginia, Gwen Sojourner of Crozet, Virginia, and Henry Alexander Johnson of Portsmouth, Virginia; his grandchildren, Ciel Clair Mahoney, Michael Henry Boyko, Virginia Anne Boyko, Courtney Alexander Johnson and Talbott Denmead Johnson; and 2 nieces, Rose and Sue Akerman.    Henry was known as a true Southern gentleman, gracious, kind, and respectful of everyone he met.  He was quiet but enjoyed the company of his friends.  He was thoughtful and generous in many ways--visiting homebound friends as they aged, remembering friends on birthdays and holidays and celebrating the good times such as picnics and parties.  He had an optimistic outlook on life and a wonderful smile.    Henry attended Virginia Military Institute and West Point Academy before entering the Navy during World War II.  He later served in the Korean War.  After military service he became a tobacco buyer for Imperial Tobacco Company as well as a part-time sales representative for F&E Check Writer, maintaining a handful of loyal clients up to his final days.  He married Isabelle Pyle while living in Washington, D.C. and moved to Danville in 1954 where they built a house that is still the family home.    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends make a donation to a charity of their choosing in memory.    A graveside service will be held at 11 am, Thursday, December 14 at Mountain View Cemetery. The family will have visitation and a reception at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History immediately following the service and welcomes everyone to attend.