Maj. Linda Johnson

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March 3, 2020

Maj. Linda Johnson
State Legislative Squadron
North Carolina Wing

Rep. Linda Kay Pennell Johnson, 74, of Kannapolis went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, after a brief period of declining health.Linda was born May 2, 1945, in Cabarrus County, daughter of the late Donald and Ruth Smith Pennell. She was a graduate of A. L. Brown High School Class of 1963, where she played varsity basketball and was a cheerleader. She continued her education following high school and became a computer analyst. Early on, she was a great supporter and advocate for the Dixie Youth Baseball program in Kannapolis and many other community endeavors.

She was known as "second mom" to many neighborhood kids and school friends when her sons were growing up, and doors at the Johnson home were always open. Linda served eight years on the Kannapolis School Board prior to her election to the NC House of Representatives in 2000. She was a lifelong advocate for K-12 education and was dubbed as the "Education Legislator." She was known as one of the most influential and respected members of the NC House, serving as senior appropriations chair and co-chair of the joint education oversight committee. She was instrumental in the creation and development of the NC Research Campus. She represented House District 82 and was serving her tenth term in office at her death. She was known for being a selfless public servant, role model, advocate, mentor, and fighter for her constituents.

She leaves an honorable legacy of courage and civility and a reputation of never backing down on her values. Linda was a member of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, where in earlier years she taught Vacation Bible School, Mission Friends, and GA's. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she was dearly loved by her family, friends, and colleagues. Her warm smile, congeniality, and unconditional love will be greatly missed. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brother, David Pennell; sister-in-law, Dean Pennell; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hugh and Inez Johnson; and son, Ben Johnson, in 2019. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 56 years, Ronnie Roger Johnson; sons, Roger Johnson of Charlottesville, VA, and Byron Johnson of Kannapolis; grandchildren, Regan Johnson, Linzi Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, Wesley Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Sydney Johnson, and Chloe Johnson; daughter-in-law, Lori Johnson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Timisha Johnson Robinette; nephews, David Pennell and Darryl Pennell.

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AP NEWS

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state Rep. Linda Johnson, a leading budget writer in the state House who died this week, is being remembered for her kindness and commitment to education.

Johnson died Tuesday at age 74, according to an online obituary from Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. Funeral home director Joel Nelson confirmed her death but said he couldn't provide additional information about it.

Johnson had recently suffered a stroke and had been diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread, according to a online post earlier this month from Rhonda Todd, Johnson's administrative assistant.

A Republican first elected to the House in 2000, Johnson most recently was one of the three senior chairs of the House Appropriations Committee.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, former House speaker and current U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, and others were among those who lamented the news and praised Johnson.

Johnson "had a beloved and infectious spirit that resonated throughout the North Carolina General Assembly every day, and the tragic news of her passing is a terrible loss for our legislative community, her family and the people she served in Cabarrus County," current Speaker Tim Moore said in announcing her death.

Johnson said in December that she wouldn't seek reelection this year to her Cabarrus County district. Johnson gave her support to a legislative aide to succeed her. That aide and two other Republicans are running in next month's primary.

GOP activists in her House district still will have to choose someone to fill out the remainder of Johnson's two-year term through the end of 2020.

Johnson, who previously served on the Kannapolis school board, rose to prominence in the legislature as Republicans took over the House in 2011, focusing on public education issues.

"She was a fierce advocate for education and never lost her focus amid even the most stressful budget negotiations," Senate leader Phil Berger said in a release. The Cooper administration ordered U.S. and North Carolina flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff through Friday to honor Johnson.