Obituary for Carol Johnson
On Tuesday, March 14th, at Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington, Carol Johnson was taken home to be with her Lord and Savior. She was surrounded by love, family and the joy and laughter from the sharing of many fond memories – a testament to her legacy. She was 91 years young.
Born December 26, 1925 in Caldwell, Idaho, she was the youngest of 11 sisters and brothers. Some of her most cherished memories were of her siblings, especially her sisters with whom she was particularly close throughout of her life. She graduated from Pullman High School in 1944 and then Lewiston Beauty School in 1945.
Shortly after the Second World War, she married Ralph Johnson in Pullman, Washington on May 1, 1949. He was a tall, handsome Coast Guard veteran who asked a pretty, little lady if she wanted to take a ride in his truck. The rest is history. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother who diligently helped raise four children, sometimes by herself as Ralph's work took him to various parts of the state.
Life took them many places, including being able to call Pullman, Spokane, Othello, Warm Beach-Stanwood area, Tumwater, Augusta, Georgia, Kennewick, and finally Everett home. They spent a good portion of their retirement going on many road trips. They crisscrossed the nation and were able to see parts of the country that some people only dream about going. However, the one place that she enjoyed at the most was in the presence of her family.
Carol was a truly beautiful and special woman. Her faith was of particular importance to her. She was raised in the Nazarene Church, but spent her adulthood attending services in the Methodist Church. It was an element of her life that sustained her in the hard times and brought joy in the good times. She was many things to many people, not the least of which was sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She touched the lives of those she met, and her smile could light up the room. She also had a very creative and artistic side to her. She was fond of writing, sewing, oil painting and numerous and varied craft projects. Many of these gems are still treasured by those lucky enough to see them or have them. That creativity and flare for the artistic lives on in both her children and grandchildren. All of this makes her passing for those of us left behind all the more sorrowful. However, we are confident in knowing that our loss is Heaven's gain.
She is preceded in death by, or as her family chooses to view it, reunited with her parents Herbert and Anne Salisbury, her husband Ralph Johnson and her 11 sisters and brothers.
Carol is survived by her children, Jesse W. Johnson of Maple Valley (daughter MacKenzie Anne), Stuart Johnson and his wife Delores of Eagle River, Alaska (daughter Richelle), Carlee Montanaro of Snohomish (sons Dominic Slater and his wife Stefanie and Reece Rightmire), and Eric R. Johnson and his wife Julia Johnson of Sedro-Woolley (sons Eric Andrew and Benjamin), two great-grandchildren Madison and Camden Slater, and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests making a donation to Rosa Azul, a special needs school in Brazil. Donations can be sent to the Rosa Azul Foundation, 8780 19th Street, Suite 316, Alta Loma, CA 91701.
The family invites those who loved her to join them at Kimball's Funeral Home in Pullman, WA for viewing at 11:30-12:30, graveside service at 1 PM on Monday, March 20th.