Obituary of Jeanne Krantz Johnson

Jean Krantz Johnson, 90 of Bedford, passed away Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at  Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Jack Bennett Johnson and their marriage was blessed with a daughter, the late Vicki Johnson Smith and a son, Benny R. Johnson who survives. 

Jeanne was born on Saturday, May 12, 1928  to Bessie Anson Krantz and John Clifton Krantz of Bedford County.  She grew up on the farm owned by her family since 1893 on which was located the Krantz School built by her father.  She was first employed in the offices of the Belding Hemingway Company in Bedford and later helped with the operation of Johnson's Furniture Store in Bedford owned by her husband & his brothers.  Jeanne was devoted to her family and friends and took pride in maintaining their home nicely and helping with the growing of the boxwood gardens started by her husband.  A longtime member of Bedford Baptist Church, Jeanne exemplified her values by her unfailing kindness to others, always helping her  family members as needed.  She became the sole caregiver of her daughter when it became necessary. Jeanne was fun-loving, loved to sing and enjoyed the many visits of family & friends over the years.  She enjoyed contests (and sometimes won), once winning a fair sum in one sponsored by the local radio station. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Benny Johnson, her daughter, Vicki Johnson Smith & son-in-law, John Walter Smith, her brother, John C. Krantz, Jr., and her sisters, Ruth K. Fisher, Mary K. Spry, Mildred K. Saunders and Bettie K. Hooper.
      
She is survived by her son, Benny R. Johnson & wife, Brenda; grandsons, Scott C. Smith & wife, Zana, Ben A. Smith, Gregory B. Smith & wife, Gail; great grandson, Ryan Smith; great granddaughter, Laney Smith; her sister, Margaret K. Parks and a number of nieces & nephews. Jeanne was truly loved by all of the above and will be sorely missed, but all are grateful for her life & the things she shared with them.

The family requests those wishing to make memorials consider Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523 or the National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P. O. Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Dr. David Henderson officiating.  Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.