Laura Mae Johnson died Wednesday, Nov. 12 at her residence care
facility in La Mesa, Calif. She was 103 and 11 months.
Laura Mae Johnson
Laura Mae Johnson died Wednesday, Nov. 12 at her residence care facility in La Mesa, Calif. She was 103 and 11 months.
She was born Nov. 22, 1899 in Santa Clara and graduated from Southside Elementary School and San Benito High School.
She was a member of the Church of Religious Science of Monterey.
She came from Santa Clara County at 6 years old and lived in the Emmett area of San Benito County. She experienced the 1906 earthquake there.
In 1908, her family moved to the southside area of San Benito County where they established a ranch. She lived there from 1908 to 1939.
While in Hollister, she worked in sales for Markham’s Department Store as well as sold commodities for the home from independent suppliers.
In 1939, she moved to Salinas, eventually working for Fashion’s Department Store selling fine china and sterling silver as well as being an independent sales person. After 60 years as a career sales lady, she retired in Salinas to enjoy gardening at her home and entertaining her friends.
Five years ago, she moved to the San Diego/La Mesa area to be with her daughter and son-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her husband Elmo Johnson, who died in January 1986 at the age of 90. She was also preceded in death by her brother Roy Miller and sister Florence Bourdet.
She is survived by her sons Barrie Johnson of Isabel Valley, Calif., and Ron (Patty) Johnson of San Diego; daughter Nancy (Darrell) Blevins of San Diego; grandchildren Martin and Tommy Johnson of King City, Jason Johnson of Los Angeles, Dan and Jim Blevins of San Diego, Jill Manges of Nevada, Jim Gilligan of Chico and Julie Dunlap of Williams, Calif.; niece Janice Rose of Hollister; nephews Gene Bourdet, Earl Miller and Leonard Bourdet, all of Hollister; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18 from noon to 7 p.m. at the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home and on Wednesday, Nov. 19 before the funeral services. Friends are invited to attend the funeral service Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
Interment will follow at the family plot at the IOOF Cemetery in Hollister.
Donations may be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind in care of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
