Virginia Helen Johnson

Helen Johnson was born in San Francisco, CA to John W. and Nancy Anne Blakeney Schultz.  She graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco and went on to complete two years of college education. Over the years she took classes at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Iowa, and the University of Georgia.

Helen married Richard Edmund Johnson on April 18, 1945 in San Francisco, where Helen had a dancing school for children in her youth and taught dancing for six years. She was a secretary for Metropolitan Life Insurance until she married.  She was an administrative assistant off and on during her middle years. But her main joy was as a homemaker and mother to her children, Richard Edmund Johnson, Jr. and Cheryle Ann.

Through the years Helen served in the community wherever she lived. She was a member of the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), serving a term as President. She was an assistant Girl Scout Leader. She was a co-leader of her son’s Little League baseball team.  She taught Sunday school in several United Methodist churches in many cities. Most recently she was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, GA.

Helen’s other interests and hobbies included playing Bridge; she was a Life Master Player. She also was a talented watercolor painter. Helen and her husband enriched their lives with many extraordinary sights and thrilling experiences through their worldwide travels and ventures with Elderhostel (Road Scholar).

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded by her sister, Elizabeth Schultz; her husband, Richard “Rich” Johnson; and her granddaughter, Katherine Ann Kirk.  She is survived by her son, Richard Edmund Johnson, Jr.; her daughter, Cheryle Johnson Kirk; her daughter-in-law, Connie Knight; her grandson, Weston Johnson Kirk; her granddaughter, Jesse Erin Lippman Johnson; her step-grandson, Jordan Glassman; and her step-granddaughter, Ariel Glassman.

A Memorial Service “in celebration of a good life” will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, GA. There will be a Reception in the Auditorium after the service.

Helen and Rich moved to the Lanier Village retirement community in March of 2004. They lived in Village West, Apt. #1604. Both Rich and Helen finished well at Lanier Village, each profiting from the full continuum of care and activities afforded them in the apartment, OakBridge Terrace and WillowBrooke Court. They were contented and comfortable, each gaining many new friends over the course of their happy days at LVE.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

 Service Information