Juanita Zudora Shippy Johnson, 81, died June 27, 2008, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise with family at her bedside.
Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
She was born on March 28, 1927, at Aline, Okla., to William W. and Artie E. Elliott Shippy.
Juanita attended schools in the Aline area and was a 1946 Aline High School graduate.
Not long after she graduated, she married Lawrence Homer Johnson, who was an airman in the U.S. Air Force stationed at a nearby Air Force base. The couple traveled the United States and Europe and finally settled at Haines in 1967.
A short time after moving to Haines, Juanita started her career operating her own cleaning service. She cleaned private homes and businesses. In 1981 she moved to Baker City and retired shortly thereafter due to her health.
She spent the rest of her life enjoying her eight children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She loved planting and growing beautiful flowers, cooking and just watching her family grow.
Her family members said she was always known for her sweet and pleasant nature and total devotion to her children, often saying “All I want is for my children to be happy and safe.”
She was loved so very much by her family, and all who knew her, her family said.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years; her sister, Leah, of Kansas City, Kan.; three daughters, Sue Olsen, and her husband, Steve, of Baker City, Pam Donicht and her husband, Mike, of Baker City, and Brenda Chandler and her husband, Daren, of La Grande; four sons, Larry Johnson and his wife, Barbara, of Baker City, Ron Johnson and his wife, Tracy, of Newberg, Mitchel Johnson and his wife, Lisa,of Baker City, and Scott Johnson and his wife, Veronica, of Baker City; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; five sisters; and her oldest son, Truman Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 3, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor