Lena Johnson

ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
LAGRONE FUNERAL CHAPEL
JOHNSON, LENA - A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at LaGrone Funeral Chapel, for Lena Johnson, age 94, who passed away on September 8, 2015, in Roswell, New Mexico. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2015, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church with interment following at South Park Cemetery.
Lena was born on April 28, 1921, to Flake C. Snitker and Ada Cheek Snitker in Vernon, Texas, and grew up on a farm near Morton. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941 from West Texas State in Canyon, Texas, at the age of 20. She was a member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. While at West Texas State, Lena met a tall basketball player who was also co-captain of the Buffalo football team. Lena and Dewey Johnson married on July 19, 1941.
Lena taught one semester at Sundown, Texas, which was a booming oil town. She related how it would grow another block overnight. When World War II started, Lena went with Dewey to Quantico, Virginia, where he entered Officer Candidate School. After Dewey left for the South Pacific, Lena took a job at the air base in Lubbock, Texas. In 1952, Lena and her family moved to Roswell, New Mexico. She taught at Missouri Avenue Elementary School and later taught Reading and English at Pueblo Junior High and Sierra Middle School. She retired from the teaching profession in May of 1980 and helped Dewey run their business, S and J Pecan until the mid-1990s.
Lena was an active member at First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She had a special love for the single adults. Lena belonged to PEO Chapter Al and the 1941 Book Club. She helped organize the Roswell Story League and worked with young members of the Junior Story League.
Lena was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey; brother, Clifford Snitker; sister, Opal Snitker Moore; niece, Marsha Ann Moore; and nephews J.C., Curtis and Stanley Snitker.
Surviving her are her two sons, Reverend Dewey Johnson and his wife Cheri of Albuquerque, NM and Dr. Max Johnson and his wife Kathy of Roswell, NM; grandchildren, Marci Hyde of Burlington, Oklahoma, Cramer Johnson and his wife Jazmine of Normal, Illinois, Curran Johnson and his wife Megan of Frederick, Maryland, Reah Johnson Bravo and her husband Rich of Brussels, Belgium, Maria Johnson of Austin, Texas and Brett Johnson and his wife Ruth Ann of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Bailey Hyde, Darcy and Crosby Johnson, Alexander Johnson, and numerous well-loved nephews and nieces.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Brookdale and Gentiva Hospice. A special thanks is extended to Julie Adams of Adams Services and her crew of caretakers who provided loving and compassionate care to Lena during her final weeks.

Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone Funeral Chapel
Online condolences may be made at www.lagronefuneralchapels.com

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Sunday, September 13, 2015
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church
500 North Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Monday, September 14, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203