Elaine Johnson

Elaine Parkin Johnson died peacefully at home on November 18, 2015 – two days after her 90th birthday. Elaine had a fun sense of humor and loved being a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. Most importantly, she was a wife and eternal loving companion and has returned home to be with her sweetheart, Elbert, for the eternities.

Elaine was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 16, 1825 to Roland Thurgood and Martha Pugsley Parkin. She was the third of four girls and the apple of her father’s eye. She was the son he did not have, and Elaine’s childhood was full of fishing, hunting and attending football and basketball games at the University of Utah with her dad. Elaine attended Utah State University, graduated with a degree in education and enjoyed teaching school. On a blind date, she met Elbert Johnson and they were married on June 11, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Elaine was very proud of her heritage and the fact that she was a Salt Lake City girl. If she met someone who was from Salt Lake, had been to Salt Lake, or had even heard of Salt Lake….she considered them family. She loved those beautiful mountains and valleys and talked often of how much she loved them and missed them.

Elaine was very proud to be a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and took every opportunity she could to serve. Nothing made her happier than to invite someone to Sunday dinner or to find a way to serve someone who needed a friend to talk to or just needed someone to do the dishes and tidy up their house when they were ill or burdened. One of her favorite sayings was “have I done any good in the world today.”

Another love of Elaine’s was missionary work and one of the best times of her life was the opportunity to serve a mission with her husband in the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Mission. She continued to be a missionary after returning home and was so proud of each of her grandchildren and their missionary service. What a wonderful example she set for each of them.

Elaine is survived by her children Becky, Judy (Mike Bunn), Dennis (Valerie), Martha, Douglas (Rebecca), Margaret (Jim Archibald), Carolyn (Brian Bale), and Lynette (Rob Makemson), 21 grandsons and 7 granddaughters, 27 great grandchildren and her two sisters, Glenna and Jerry. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Rose, and two granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 27th at 10:30AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 3527 W. Happy Valley Road in Phoenix with a viewing from 9:30AM-10:30AM prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your ward missionary fund or your favorite charity….nothing would please her more.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 27th at 10:30AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 3527 W. Happy Valley Road in Phoenix with a viewing from 9:30AM-10:30AM prior to the services.