Erna Ruth Johnson

Erna Ruth King Daily Johnson passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 15, 2026, at Sage Springs Assisted Living in San Marcos, Texas. She was 94 years old. Erna was finally overcome by health problems after a mighty and continuous fight. Just when you thought she was out for the count, she would bounce back and be ready to go again.

Erna was born December 6, 1931, in Houston, Texas, to Loralee and John King. She was named after an old family friend, Erna Waits, and her middle name, Ruth, came from her grandmother, lovingly known to all as “Big Mother.” The family lived in the Houston Heights, where Erna and her sister Betty attended grade school, Hogg Junior High, and later John H. Reagan High School. Erna and Betty were proud members of the highly acclaimed Reagan Redcoats drill team.

As a child, Erna loved playing with paper dolls, jacks, and reading Nancy Drew mystery books. Later in life, she often joked that she wasn’t sure children even knew what paper dolls were anymore. As she grew older, she also enjoyed tennis and bowling, and both Erna and Betty were very good bowlers.

Erna was raised in a Christian home, and God was always an important part of her life. She was baptized at age 12 at Big Mother’s Baptist Church in Garden Villa, about 15 miles south of Houston. She first attended church at Tabernacle Baptist Church off Houston Street near downtown, where she sometimes played piano for Sunday school.

Erna began working at age 14 in a hosiery shop in downtown Houston. She later worked for the Houston Visitors Council and Foley’s office. She also completed job training on a machine called a “computer,” which she famously referred to as a “glorified adding machine.” That training led to her first real professional position.

In 1952, Erna married Don Daily, and together they had two sons, Mike Daily and David Daily. Sadly the marriage ended and they divorced in 1975 after 23 years. Erna then returned to work at Exxon, beginning a 16-year career that she loved.

While competing in archery tournaments, Erna met Bill Johnson. They fell in love and married in December 1976. Together they traveled the country in their RV, attending archery tournaments, visiting family in Baton Rouge, and spending time in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Erna and Bill moved to Canyon Lake in 1992, where they lived in their quaint Hill Country home for 33 years. They were well known and deeply loved throughout the Canyon Lake and New Braunfels area. Earlier this past year, Bill passed away at the age of 96. Soon after, Erna was no longer able to live alone and moved to Sage Springs Assisted Living.

When Erna was asked one of her final questions—what spiritual legacy she would leave others—she replied: Be a believer in your faith, stay strong, and pray through your difficulties.

Along with her parents, Erna was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Johnson, and her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Gene Ludwick.

She is survived by her two sons, Mike (Patti) Daily and David Daily; two granddaughters, Alyson (Matt) Newland and Kelsey (Tyler) Lee; one grandson, Tyler Daily; and two great-grandsons, Case and Baker Lee.

The funeral service will be Monday, February 2, 2026 at 11:00, at First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels, Texas with a reception to follow. Burial will occur Tuesday February 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Woodlawn Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Flowers are welcome, or, if preferred, donations may be made to the Celiac Disease Foundation in Erna's memory.