Johnson retires after 62 years in Elizabethtown

Aug. 25—ELIZABETHTOWN — Dr. Clemuel M. Johnson has seen many of Bladen County's teeth at one time or another during his 62-year career in dentistry.

On July 28, Johnson stepped away from the dentist chair.

"It was a bitter-sweet decision," he said, "but I felt like it was time."

Johnson came to Elizabethtown in July 1960 after graduating from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery — the oldest dental school in the world, now affiliated with the University of Maryland. He had earlier graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in chemistry after graduating from Meadow High School in Johnston County.

After graduation, Johnson said he wanted to live somewhere in the eastern portion of North Carolina, and a little bit of luck brought him to Elizabethtown.

"A dentist here, Mitchell Wallace, wanted to go back to school, so I was able to take over his practice," Johnson said. "And I never once regretted coming to Elizabethtown. Everyone treated my wife (Nancye) and I so well right from the start."

Over the years, Johnson said he's been blessed by the staff members he's worked with — highlighted by Rose English, who served as his office manager for many years.

"I'm so very thankful and grateful for their commitment and willingness to sacrifice by helping the practice perform the services necessary to accommodate their patients," he said. "The staff were and are like family."

He added that he's had one staff member who was with the practice almost 60 years, and another who started just after high school and worked with him almost 50 years.

"I've worked a total of about 33 years with Dr. Johnson, (and) he has been a great boss and friend to us all," said English. "I think I can speak for all the ladies here that he has always had pour best interest at heart — it's been a joy to work with him.

"It has warmed out hearts over the years as we would see him every morning as he got to work to stand outside the entrance of the office and salute the American flag across the street at Bladen County Hospital with tears in his eyes," she added. "We will miss him."

After 62 years as a dentist in Elizabethtown, Johnson said he will miss those who have come to him as patients — many of whom have become friends.

"I will greatly miss seeing them as patients, but will cherish the lasting memories and always appreciate their loyalty and faithfulness to me and the practice," Johnson said.

He added that he doesn't have any specific plans now that he is retired, though he hopes to stay busy spending time with family and catching up on projects.

Johnson also said he is working to recruit someone to come take over his former dental practice.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@bladenjournal.com.