Anne Johnson

Ernestine “Anne” Johnson grew up in Loogootee, IN, and attended college at Indiana State University.  It was there she first heard his magical voice.  “I remember hearing him on the radio and thinking, ‘Wow.  What a great voice.’”  But it wasn’t until several years later that Anne met the owner of that wonderful voice. 

Anne worked at NSWC Crane for 28 years doing several different jobs.  She most enjoyed working in the Public Affairs Department.  It was there she met the man with the mesmerizing voice, Dave “Bud” Johnson.

Dave had grown up in Bedford, IN, and joined the Navy after high school.  Later, Dave attended broadcasting school in Washington, D.C.  He worked at several radio and television stations but finally ended up at NSWC Crane.  Dave kept up with his passion, however, and worked on advertising for Bedford Federal Savings Bank.  He also acted in various productions at the Little Theatre of Bedford including Another Part of the Forest and The Odd Couple. 

While Anne and Dave were working together, Dave began “coming around at lunch” and asking Anne to “work on lines with him.” Eventually, Dave asked Anne to come up to his houseboat one evening, but Anne had a rule: dating someone at work was not allowed.  “Finally, one night, I got so bored that I went [to the houseboat] and it’s all history from there,” Anne recalled.  Less than a year later, in 1976, the two were married in Anne’s hometown of Loogootee. 

During their marriage, the couple traveled from icy Alaska to tropical Hawaii, from the small town on Coronado Island to the big city on the island of Manhattan.  In New York, the couple attended a few Broadway shows.  “Theatre was one thing we had in common,” Anne shared. 

The couple’s marriage was very successful.  “He always said that I was so nice and sweet, and he was just the opposite, so we balanced each other out,” Anne remembered, laughing.  “He had a gruff exterior, but he was just a pussycat inside.”  Anne says that her advice to other couples would be to always keep a sense of humor. 

In 2007, Dave passed away from complications of lung cancer.  To honor him, Anne established the David “Bud” Johnson Fund for Little Theatre of Bedford.  This designated fund’s annual distribution will provide support for the Little Theatre.  In addition, Anne also began the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Bedford Fund.  Anne served as Treasurer of the Society for 15 years prior to beginning the fund.  She mentioned that this fund is close to her heart because she’s seen how the Society has helped people in the community. 

Anne passed away in 2012. In her will, she made provisions to establish a designated fund through the Community Foundation to benefit Hope Resource Center and made additional gifts to several designated funds held by the Community Foundation to support non-profit organizations in Lawrence and Martin Counties. Giving through the Community Foundation meant Anne only had to work with one organization rather than several to fulfill her charitable goals. Furthermore, Anne chose to give through the Community Foundation because she knew her donation would be endowed and would benefit these organizations forever.