Selma Post Office staple Cornelius 'Doc' Johnson retires after 50 years

Cornelius H. “Doc” Johnson, an icon at the Selma Post office, has retired after nearly 51 years of service. A special retirement ceremony was held at the Selma Public Library on Jan. 18.  

The room was packed with friends and family who praised Doc for doing a great job but also for being a great person. Doc’s older brother Charles Johnson, who emceed the event, said he was reminded of a Scripture passage: “For he who exalteth himself shall be abased; and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) 

The first person who spoke was Probate Judge and Dallas County Commission Chair Jimmy Nunn, who told Doc, “Your service has been huge in our community. You have really made a difference.” He added that “people always respect him.” 

Selma City Council President Billy Young said Doc did everything with a lot of love. “You don’t know the number of lives you’ve touched,” Young told Doc. “I have seen it myself. Say something positive to someone who might not have been having a good day.”  

Nunn, Young and many others who spoke mentioned how Doc always kept a cool head and calmly handled any situation or problem presented to him. 

Doc was presented with numerous commendations. The Postal Service presented an official letter of thanks. The City of Selma Council and Mayor’s Office presented an official proclamation recognizing and thanking Doc for his service to the community. Doc also received an official thank you from Dallas County commissioners and an official recognition from Congresswoman Terri Sewell. 

Doc expressed his appreciation to his coworkers and family who were at the ceremony. “This was my calling,” Doc said. “After 50 years, 10 months and three days, it was just a blessing.”  

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Charles Johnson told a story about Doc when he was 18 and just starting at the Post Office. Charles said sometimes after work, the Post Office would call him to come back in. Doc loved to fish and often went fishing after work. “My brother Bill and I found out where his fishing hole was, so when we got the call that the Post Office was looking for him, we would go find him. Most of the time he was very obedient,” Charles Johnson said. 

Charles added that their parents insisted on a strong work ethic. “If we had to go get Doc, he had to report in to our parents and then go to the Post Office,” Charles Johnson said.  

Being a man of few words, Doc thanked God, his parents and siblings, his wife and kids and all of his grand kids and great-grand kids. Then he thanked everyone who attended.  

Doc was one of the first crossing guards at Payne Elementary School. He loved the Boy Scouts, so he joined and eventually earned his Eagle Scout badge. Right out of high school he enlisted in the military but was injured during training and was honorably discharged. 

Before the celebration began, Doc said he was attending Wallace Community College when he got a call that the Post Office needed someone to help unload trucks. “That’s what I started doing,” Johnson said. “Unload trucks, go to school, go back and unload trucks in the evening.” 

Doc moved up to several positions within the Post Office. “I took the test and became official,” Doc said. He said he reached the level of lead clerk, but in his later years he said he “stepped down to being just a clerk.” 

Doc said he hasn’t decided what he’ll do in retirement, but he said with grandchildren and great grandchildren, there will be plenty for him to do.