Avvis Darlene Johnson

Born on the farm (where she actually picked cotton) in Weber Falls, Oklahoma July 6,1934 to Reaford & Lorene Franklin, the third of five siblings. Darlene was raised in Upland, graduating from Chaffey High School in 1952. While working at Bank of America in Pomona as a teller she met the love of her life, Robert Henry Johnson (Bob) fresh out of the Navy; they were married in 1955 & the church is still standing. Shortly after, they started their own family, and she quit working to be a full time Domestic Engineer, eventually having a total of three children: two girls and one boy.

Darlene was very active in their church, First Baptist in Upland. For 15 years she taught the 4-year-old’s Sunday School class. She was also heavily involved in Bible Study Fellowship, a worldwide organization, serving as the Secretary for the Upland Chapter for 20 years.

In 1984 the last of their birds “left the nest”; and in 1986 Bob & Darlene sold their home in Ontario, moving to Spring Valley Lake, Victorville. They found a new church community with whom to serve and fellowship at Hesperia Baptist, and later at Bible Baptist Church.

After Bob retired, the two of them spent much of their time traveling around the Country, visiting family and engaging in genealogy research (before it became all the rage). While at home, Darlene enjoyed painting ceramics to place in the San Bernardino County Fair, where she brought home blue ribbons yearly and frequently best in show. She crushed the competition.

Some of the many things she enjoyed, when not plotting her next award: Working 1,000 piece puzzles, playing cards and dominos with close friends and family, gardening, collecting elephant memorabilia of all kinds, collecting various prints of Thomas Kincade & watching humming birds battle for territory in the yard. Darlene loved Chicken Tortilla Soup so much that grandson Shane mastered it so he could keep her well supplied.

In the early 2000’s, she fought breast cancer and won!!!

Stubborn till the end, she fought with nurses 100% like a boss. Set in her ways, strict but kind, had the memory of an elephant. Forgiving but not forgetting, stern, always eager to show you the flaws and to help you correct them.

Darlene is survived by one sibling: Carol Melton; Three children, Lorene Johnson, Robert Johnson (Linda), Christina Schondel (Tony); Seven grandchildren, Chris Farr, James Johnson (Ally), Jennifer Farr (Joseph), Hillary Smith (Everett), Anthony Schondel II (Abby), Marcos Espinoza, and Shane Schondel (Melissa); And six great-grandchildren: Serenity Schondel, Jacob Espinoza, Caspian Schondel, Alxavier Wright-Johnson, and Aidyn Wright-Johnson.

Preceded in death by her parents, four siblings and her beloved husband.