Lelia Alice Johnson, 98, who most people knew as Alice Johnson, went to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, Dick Johnson, on Friday, July 27, 2018. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel in Wheatland with Pastor Casey Schroeder officiating. Interment was held in the Wheatland Cemetery.
Alice was born Aug. 8, 1919, to Minnie (Kinsman) and Earl Murray. She lived with her parents and three older sisters Annie Johnson, Bessie Hunter and Nellie Locke east of Wheatland on the Murray homestead.
Alice met Richard Edward Johnson in the spring of 1939 while rescuing a cat in the field. They fell in love and married on Aug. 12, 1941. They had one son, Jack Edward Johnson. Dick and Alice then bought their lifelong home east of Wheatland on Dickinson Hill Road. Alice had a major part in raising Jack’s two daughters, Joanette Wardell, of Wheatland, and Janice Faris, of Wheatland.
As a housewife she wore many hats besides being the “glue” that held the family together. She fixed meals three times a day, always had time for family and friends with hot coffee on the stove, she cooked for brandings and at harvest time for crews, and she was a big part of raising her great-grandchildren, Jackie Johnson, of Wheatland, Jamie Wardell, of Wheatland, Richard Wardell aka Zeke, of Wheatland, Thane Johnson, of Glendo, and Skyla Faris, of Wheatland. Alice had the blessing of knowing three great-greatgrandchildren, Starlyn Wallis, Wyatt Johnson and Slayder Johnson.
She belonged to The East of Town Club, was a very active member of the Antelope Gap Grange, attended the East of Town Bible Study, and was a member of the Wheatland United Methodist Church. Alice enjoyed family and friends, big dinners at the Grange, playing cards and studying her Bible.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Earl Murray; husband, Richard E. Johnson; three sisters, Annie (John) Johnson, of Wheatland, Bessie (Bill) Hunter, of Raymond, Washington, and Nellie (Earl) Locke, of Wheatland; and granddaughter Jackie Johnson.
Alice is survived by her son, Jack E. Johnson; granddaughters Joanette (Alan) Wardell, of Wheatland, and Janice (Grady) Faris, of Wheatland; five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; also many, many nieces and nephews with whom she had a very close relationship.
Alice had a wonderful almost 99 years; she was loved and will be missed by all.
A memorial to the Services for Seniors, 1605 16th St., Wheatland, WY 82201 would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
