Couple's service honored

by Kim Smith
Senior Culture Writer

Valentine’s Day is a time to show love for a significant other, or even to show a love of helping others ­ Nelsonville residents Charlotte and Paul Johnson will be recognized for both today, by Ohio First Lady Hope Taft.

The third annual “Joined Hearts in Giving,” held at the governor’s residence, honors couples married 50 years or more who are active in community service, said Lisa Polley Baker, public information officer with the Ohio Department of Education. This year’s program honors 23 couples from around the state, including the Johnsons.

The couple, who live outside of Nelsonville, are active members of the Scenic Hills Senior Center in Logan.

“We like people, we work with people and we like to serve people,” Paul Johnson said.

Charlotte Johnson, a retired nurse, is the secretary for the Hocking County Council of Aging and has been a member for eight years. She also has directed the Senior Citizen Chorus for the past three years. Her husband sings tenor in the choir.

“I’ve never directed before,” she said. “But I’ve been a part of choruses and choirs all my life — it’s kind of fun.”

A retired pastor for the Hocking Valley Parish — a coalition of five Christian Disciples of Christ churches — for 25 years, Paul Johnson has not slowed down. In his office, his pencil sharpener collection — he has more than 2,000 — fills shelves on one wall. Numerous awards cover the remaining walls.

Paul Johnson, a World War II veteran, also organized and founded the U.S.S. Pamanset Ships Annual Reunion.

“I contacted all of my old shipmates or their spouses and we get together every year,” Paul Johnson said. “We’re holding the 14^th annual one in Mobile, Ala.”

The Johnsons also have worked together on other projects. In 1995, they decided to house Roberto, a Venezuelan attending Hocking College to learn English.

“We’re his American parents,” Charlotte said. “We’ve maintained a close relationship with him, and even got to visit him in Venezuela a few years ago.”

The Johnsons found each other at a church conference for 18 to 30-year-olds. It was a long-distance relationship, since Charlotte lived in Ohio, and Paul went to Eureka College in Oregon.

“We were married in my hometown, Lima, in December of 1950,” Charlotte said.

They have three children and seven grandchildren.