Elizabeth Annie (Beth) Johnson, age 92, passed away peacefully into heaven on January 21, 2019. Beth was born on a remote farm in Hardisty, Alberta, Canada on April 24, 1926 to Clyde and Sarah Varner. She was the younger sister to Melvin and George Varner. Beth was the loving wife of Durwood Johnson just two weeks shy of 75 years.
As a young high school student in Pullman, Washington, Beth waited tables at WSU/WSC in the dining hall for the WWII cadets in training. There she caught the eye of a young man from Louisiana and after a short two month courtship, they eloped. After the war they eventually settled in Spokane Valley and raised a family.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and son-in-law Michael Schaar. She is survived by her children Diane Loehner (Frank) Greenacres, Steve Johnson (Karen) Spokane, Janell Loeber (Louie) Kennewick, and Jeannie Schaar, Sammamish, plus 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Beth loved to travel the countryside collecting rocks along the way, fishing with her family (always catching the biggest fish), arts and crafts, musical pursuits and her work at Spokane Valley Nazarene. As founding members of the church, she and Durwood dedicated much of their life in service of the church.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26th at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, 15515 E. 20th Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Union Gospel Mission.
