Juanita Johnson

Juanita Nita Marie Johnson passed away from this life into the next on July 15, 2012. She was 83 years of age, but lived her life expecting many more opportunities to give to those she met. Visitation for family and friends will be 6 till 8 PM on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Graveside funeral service will be 10:00 AM, July 18, 2012, at Elmwood Memorial Parks Mausoleum Garden.
She was born on August 11, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri to W.D. and Velma White Smith. She moved with her family to Lamesa, Texas where she met Mary E. Smith, who would become a lifelong friend until Mary passed in 1992.
After an amazing short courtship she married Elmo E. White, a native of Coahoma, Texas. To this union three children were born Ronald E. White, Randy J. White, and Vicki White. With Elmo being in the U.S. Air Force, they all got to see much of Gods creation while being stationed in Morocco, Africa and the Azore Islands off the Portugal Coast. Nita was a good homemaker, raising her children well and being involved in every school or sport challenge they tried to master.
The family returned to Dyess AFB, in Abilene, for the remaining of Elmos military service, with her children going to Wylie schools, and Nita attending Wylie Baptist Church. Elmo died in 1968 and some years later Nita was joined in marriage with James Merl Johnson, of Oplin, Texas. Nita and Merl spent many years traveling the U.S. where Merl was a superintendent for Fish Engineers, making the work crew his extended family. Nita entertained and fed large groups of working men and their families. After Merl was medically unable to work they returned to Abilene to live.
Nita and her husband Elmo bowled with great success in many bowling leagues in Abilene, in the 1950s and 1960s. Her friends Lila Robertson, Lou Russel, and Dickey Haggard shared many laughs at the lanes and each others homes.
Nita was a champion bingo player having showed her skills in the N.C.O. clubs while in the military and greatly cherished her bingo friends at the V.F.W. post, and other bingo halls around town. She loved to win so that she might share her blessing with those around her.
Nita became the cookie lady for Albertsons grocery store on Buffalo Gap, where she eagerly and lovingly made sure you tried a sample of whatever delight Pam and her helpers had cooked that day. She and the family wish to thank all of the employees and managers for being so caring for her, as she loved greeting every customer with a smile and a sweet treat.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Elmo E. White and James M. Johnson, and her loving brother, James R. Smith.
Nita is survived by her children Ron and Trisha White, of San Antonio, Texas. Randy and Jackie White of Ovalo, Texas, and Vicki White of Betram, Texas two grandchildren, Mechelle Salmon, and Ronnie White eight great grandchildren, Zachary Tinney, Breana Litzner, Alison Salmon, Roy Andrew Salmon, Joshua Salmon, Corey White, Kelsie White, and Bailey White. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of her first great great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas, 79601, or to favorite charity of your choice.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
68 PM

Service

Graveside Service

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606