Johnson, Dorothy Light

Dorothy Mildred (Light) Johnson, 95, died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at home in Roanoke. Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to all who knew her, she was born on April 18, 1915, the daughter of Page Morris Light and Ida Shank Light of Locust Grove in Floyd.

She married Elmer Randolph Johnson in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 20, 1945, and moved to Smyth County in 1955, where she remained for the next 40 years. A retired Smyth County building contractor, her husband preceded her in death in 1993.

She was a graduate of Eskylund’s in Roanoke and a former hairdresser. She also worked as a retail associate with downtown Heironimus and Ward’s of Baltimore. She will long be remembered by those whose lives were so lovingly touched by her Christian testimony. A child convert at age 12, she attended church most of her life, serving as Sunday School teacher, treasurer, and Ladies Auxiliary secretary.

Dorothy was preceded in death by a sister, Alma “Sunny” Light; and three brothers, Roy Marshall Light, Cecil Corelle Light and James Wilbur Light.

Survived by a large, widespread family who hold in common their love and admiration for her, she leaves behind to cherish her memory, a daughter, Linda Kay Smith and son-in-law, Ronald Thomas Smith, of Chesterfield, and another daughter, Carolyn Sue Underwood and son-in-law, Winston Lee Underwood, of Roanoke and their children, Sharon Leigh (Dean) Ramsey, Wake Forest, N.C., Karen Sue (Jeff) Strom, Jonathan (Tori) Underwood, Christopher (Candice) Underwood, all of Roanoke, and Jason (Cheryl) Underwood, of Christiansburg; 11 grandchildren, Jessi, Emily, Spencer, Andrew, Chloe, Caden, Elijah, Micah, Caleb, Blake and Sierra.

A celebration of her life will be held at New Life Christian Ministries, 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, with Pastor Jeff Copper officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be made online to www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.

When you have come to the edge
Of all the light you know
And are about to step off
Into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing
One of two things will happen:
You will find something solid
To stand on
Or you will be taught to fly.
Bar LaJeunesse