Melvin White Johnson, Jr. (Mel) passed away peacefully on November 2, 2016 at the James River Convalescent Center.  Mel was born April 14, 1942 to Myrtle Freeman and Melvin White Johnson, Sr.  He grew up on Beach Road in Fox Hill before moving to Ward Drive in Hampton.  He attended Ferrum Jr. College and East Tennessee State University.  After a brief stent in the military, with an Honorable discharge, he came to work for Merchant's National Bank and then Virginia National Bank where he worked for eleven years in the Savings Department.  He then went to work at the Newport News Shipyard in ESTD for 27 years until he retired due to complications from Parkinson's Disease.

He was an active member at Phoebus United Methodist Church, singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, and working as the church Sexton.  He was an active Cub and Boy Scout leader, a member of Monitor Lodge 197 for many years until his health prevented him from attending.  When his children were young, he was active in the International Order of Job's Daughters, Bethel 13, serving as the Associate Guardian and also was active in the Hampton Roads Chapter Order of Demolay.

He leaves his loving wife of 50 years, Dixie Scarborough Johnson, his daughter Merle Keener (Glen) and his son Michael Johnson (Louise), four grandchildren, Zakary and Jacob Keener and Marissa and Sasha Johnson, in-laws Bobby and Julia Scarborough and Suzanne and Rodger Melson, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, daughter, Mary Emily Johnson, step mother's Beulah Clark Johnson and Grace Baccus Johnson.  Also his beloved in-laws Bill and Mary Scarborough.

A funeral service will be conducted at 7 pm Monday, November 7, 2016 at Phoebus United Methodist Church followed by Masonic rites. The family will receive friends Monday at the church from 6-7 pm. Interment will be held at 10 am Tuesday in Parklawn Memorial Park.

The family wishes to thank James River Convalescent Center, Warwick Unit for their exceptional care for both Mel and for the family. Heartland Hospice for being a very caring and compassionate group of people and very much being what the concept of "hospice care" truly means and Emit Pearson for his friendship and barber skills through out Mel's illness  Thank you to the Church Choir, Pastor, and all our many friends have gone out of their way to support our family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mel Johnson's memory to the Building Fund at Phoebus United Methodist Church. Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.