Mr. and Mrs. John M. Thomas of Longview, Texas announce the engagement of their daughter, April Linnea Thomas, to Benjamin Wingaite Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Johnson of Abilene, Texas.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Celia L. Thomas, the late Dr. S.M. Thomas and Helen F. Thomas of Gladewater and the late Linnea Olson Bell and Theo “Cotton” Bell.

She is a 2003 graduate of Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas and a 2007 graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry, Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. She is currently employed as a registered dental hygienist at the office of Dr. Micheal Neeley in Dallas, Texas.

The future groom is the grandson of Mildred Johnson of Laurel and the late Ben Ray Johnson.

He is a 2001 graduate of Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas and a 2005 graduate of Abilene Christian University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. In May 2009, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry. Currently, he is a Captain in the United States Air Force and will be stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas where he will enter the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery program in the summer of 2010.

Wedding vows will be exchanged September 26, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas followed by a reception at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. They will reside in San Antonio, Texas.