On May 18, 2024, our beautiful mother passed away peacefully in the Hospice Care unit at the Salem VA. She is preceded in death by her husband and our father James D. Johnson Jr. She is survived by her children, David Johnson, Danny Johnson (Renee) and Lorye Johnson of Roanoke. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Hayden and Mitchell Johnson and Kirsten White, and her only great granddaughter, Adalie Mills.
Mom joined the Navy in December 1950, a time when not too many women were enlisting. She decided on the Navy when she saw that the Air Force women wore khakis and she didn’t like their uniform. She was an Administrative Assistant for the Officers and was so proud to be in the service. She met our father while stationed at Pensacola Navy Base in Pensacola, Florida. They were married February 11, 1953, and because there wasn’t any housing on base at that time for married couples, they returned to Roanoke to start their family.
Mom was a quiet person who loved her family with all her heart. She was happiest being with one, or all of us, and listening to our conversations. Our family is small but we are so very close.
We would like to give special thanks to the Doctors at the VA, Ted and Amy; her home based PCP and nurse, Kaitlin with Palliative care; the Hospice team, John, Louann, Sherry, Beverly, Sharon, Dr. Fortuna and Chaplain Katina. We will forever be grateful for the care you gave Mom.
A graveside service for Mrs. Johnson will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 11 AM at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
