Virginia "Ginny" Caton Johnson

Ginny was born August 7, 1951 in Denver, Colorado to Vernon V. and Nida J. Caton. Both are deceased. Ginny’s husband Marshall “Mark” Hardy Johnson preceded her in death in 2009. Ginny is survived by her sister Karen J. Caton of Whitewater, Colorado and many friends in Colorado and North Carolina.

Ginny graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver, Colorado then went on to graduate from Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia where she earned her BA in Economics. She later went on to attend UNC – Greensboro where she received her MBA. These degrees would serve her very well for her career in the financial sector.

Her passions in life were her husband and soulmate Mark, her animals – especially her horses, and photography. She and Mark spent decades working together in the financial world. Having spent many years as an investment analyst, CPA and a certified financial planner, she ultimately retired after many years with Prudential and another 25 years with Merrill Lynch. When not working, Ginny could be found maintaining their 18-acre mini-farm in Summerfield, NC and taking care of all the animals – cats, dogs, and her horses. Ginny began her love of equines at the tender age of about 6 years old and it never stopped. She spent many of her younger years showing hunters and jumpers and then later in life focused on perfecting the finer points of riding dressage horses.

When Ginny was not riding horses, she was learning the art of photography. She became quite an accomplished photographer and started her own business – Ginny Johnson Photography. This, in a way, led to her fascination with storm chasing and all aspects of chasing tornadoes and photographing weather - from a safe distance of course! Her favorite things to photograph were any weather-related events – especially lightning strikes and super cells. She also loved nature - especially “big cats” and of course horses and animals in general.

Ginny overcame several serious health challenges in the last 3 years of her life. If she were here today, she would tell you her biggest goal was to be able to get back on a horse and be able to ride again. She was absolutely determined to make this happen. She worked extremely hard at her physical therapy to be able to accomplish this. Thanks to a lot of hard work, determination, and her therapy horse “Patrick,” and with a grin that went from ear to ear, that goal became a reality!

In lieu of flowers, Ginny would ask that you consider making a donation to either Red Dog Farm of Stokesdale, North Carolina or Harmony Acres Equestrian Center of Fruita, Colorado.

A memorial service to celebrate Ginny's life will be held at 11 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 in the Lineberry Center of Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service with light refreshments. Inurnment will follow at 1 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery.