2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26108832D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 346

Offered March 9, 2026

Celebrating the life of the Reverend Wendell A. Johnson.

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Patron—McQuinn

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WHEREAS, the Reverend Wendell A. Johnson, a spiritual leader who guided several congregations over the course of his pastoral career and touched countless lives through his commitment to service and outreach, died on October 25, 2025; and

WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Wendell Johnson attended public schools in Henrico County, then continued his education at the University of Virginia and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, after answering the call to the ministry, Wendell Johnson served as pastor of Union Baptist Church in Quinton, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, and First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, since August 1, 2006, Wendell Johnson had faithfully led the congregation of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Norfolk, where he served until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Wendell Johnson provided his leadership to regional and national Baptist organizations as president of American Baptist Churches of the South and president of the Ministers Council of American Baptist Churches USA; and

WHEREAS, a passionate missionary, Wendell Johnson shared the gospel through extensive mission work in El Salvador and several African nations; and

WHEREAS, Wendell Johnson also gave of his time and talents locally, serving on the Church Relations Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Hanover County and as assistant manager of the Habitat ReStore; and

WHEREAS, Wendell Johnson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Rita; his children, Karen and Marcus, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Wendell A. Johnson, a highly admired faith leader; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Wendell A. Johnson as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.