Gretchen M. Vandevander Johnson

Gretchen Melvinia Johnson, 85, went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ Thursday, March 31, 2011. She was born June 10, 1925 in Prentiss County to Levi and Myrtie Vandevander. She married Thermon Johnson on May 4, 1940, and they would have celebrated their 71st anniversary this year. She lived most of her life in New Site. She worked at Brown Shoe Company and the New Site Post Office, but most of her life was devoted to caring for her family and working on the family farm. She also was the primary caregiver for her father-in-law, Clifford Johnson. She was a member of Siloam United Methodist Church where she served as church secretary for many years. Her faith was unwavering, and she loved her church and church family. She loved gardening and sharing her vegetables with family and friends. Her biscuits, chocolate and apple pies will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Siloam United Methodist Church with Bro. Jimmy Glover officiating. Burial will be in the Siloam Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 9 pm Friday at McMillan Funeral Home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services on Saturday.

She is survived by her husband, Thermon Johnson; her five children, Joyce Waddle, Reba and Randle Downs, Richard Johnson, Larry and Deb Johnson, and Barbara and Fred Lee; nine precious grandchildren, Jeff and Lori, Chris and Amy, Van and Mindy, Brent, Jason and Brittney, Christie and Chuck, Alan and Stephanie, Tracey, David and Meghanne; her great-grandchildren, Noah, Seth, Meggan and Drew, Cory, Bailey, Brody, Daisy, Luke, Levi, Campbell and Ryan; one great-great-granddaughter, Kloye; one sister-in-law, Mary Jackson; a host of nieces and nephews that were very dear to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved daughter-in-law, Diane Johnson; two sisters, Ollie Hoard, and Zera Johnson and her husband Lloyd; her brother, Horace Vandevander; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Annie Johnson; her four brothers-in-law, Flavil Johnson and wife Mable, Eulas Johnson and wife Avis, Johnny Lindley and William Jackson; three nieces, Myrtie Sartin, Jeanette Hoard and Peggy Hoard; nephew, Jessie Hoard.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jeff Johnson, Chris Johnson, Van Johnson, Brent Wilemon, Alan Johnson, Chuck Holly, Jason Downs and David Lee.

We love you now and always. We will cherish every moment that we shared with you!