Dr. Linda Johnson was born in Richland, MS. She attended McLaurin High School first through eleventh grade and graduated from Florence high School in 1971. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1974 from Jackson State University in Biology. Dr. Johnson was awarded her Doctor of Optometry Degree from Indiana University School of Optometry, Bloomington, Indiana in 1978.

Dr. Johnson began her Optometry practice in the state of Mississippi in 1978 at Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Jackson, Mississippi making her the First African American Female Optometrist in the state. She is presently the Director of Optometry Services at Jackson-Hinds.

Dr. Johnson has received numerous honors and awards: National Association Optometrist of the Years in July 1993. J. Tate Thigpen Award for Administrative and Leadership Contribution for the American Red Cross Central Mississippi Chapter, June 1994. March 1998 she was one of the women featured in “The Different Faces of Contemporary Black Women” Ebony Magazine. Dr. Johnson served as a celebrity waiter for Preserve Sight of Mississippi September 1998. She was honored as the Mississippi Optometric Association 2007 Dr. James Brownlee Optometrist of the year. Dr. Johnson received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Ocular Science from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN may 2008. The American Optometric Association Optometrist of the Year June 2008.

Dr. Johnson has served as President of the National Optometric Association 1997 to 1999 and the Mississippi Optometric Association 2003 to 2004. Chairman of the Central Mississippi Chapter American Red Cross 1995 to 1997 and 2005 to 2006 Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN.

2018 Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented October 19, 2018

Dr. Johnson is the proud mother of one son, Dr. James Walter Carson, III. Dr. Carson is a 2013 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She is an active member of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Richland, MS.

Dr. Johnson has been practicing Optometry forty years and continues to be passionate about what she does, helping people improve their quality of life through Vision.