Lela Johnson, a beloved mother, grandmother, and dedicated member of her community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the age of 95. Born in Centralia, Illinois, on Monday, September 16, 1929, Lela lived a life rich in love, service, and compassion.
A committed professional, Lela worked diligently as a secretary at the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center in Centralia, where her organizational skills and caring nature left a lasting impact on her colleagues and the community she served.
Lela was actively involved in her community as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Centralia V.F.W Post 2055 Auxiliary. Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life, and she was a devoted member of the Calumet Street Christian Church. Lela Johnson’s kindness, dedication, and loving spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love and service will remain in the hearts of her family and friends forever. She was very involved with her research of the Smith & Johnson Family Ancestry. She also enjoyed gardening, fishing and traveling with her husband. Lela was passionate about her homemade ornaments and crocheting. Her friends would always gift her ornaments, during their travels.
Her legacy is carried forward by her loving family: two sons: Alan D. Johnson and his wife Karen of Centralia and Gerald Johnson and his wife Becky of Belleville; son-in-law: Tom Davis of Elkhart, Indiana. She was the cherished grandmother to: Christina Crist and her husband Geoff of Elkhart, Indiana, Amy Showmaker and her husband Dave of Belleville, and Andy Johnson and his wife Kristi of Belleville. Lela was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Shelby, Sydney, and Garrett Crist; Katie and Abby Showmaker; Dane and Quinn Johnson, who brought much joy to her life.
Lela was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mabel Smith; her loving husband, Floyd G. Johnson; her dear daughter, Carol L. Davis; and her sister, Marjorie Seats.
A graveside service to honor and Celebrate Lela’s life will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Pastor Anthony Sweeney will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the SSM Hospice and/or Calumet Street Christian Church. Contributions will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, which is located at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (phone: 618-532-3523). The Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home is honored to serve Lela’s family during this difficult time. Online condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or through the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
