Johnnie, while still an infant, moved to Oklahoma with her family. They returned to Missouri when she was eight years old and she attended elementary schools in the Nevada and Milo area, and freshman and sophomore years in Montevallo before graduating from Virgil High School in Kansas. Following her marriage to Dale, they moved to Indiana where they lived for 40 years. Johnnie worked in the art department of National Tile Company and during WWII, she worked in allocations for Anaconda Wire and Cable Company. In 1945, she decided to retire so that she could raise their two daughters and was a dedicated wife and mother.
Johnnie served as several terms as president of Lafayette Purdue Extension Home Demonstration Club and was an active member of Florida Station United Methodist Church. She taught adult Sunday School classes, was a youth group leader, taught children’s church, and directed Children’s summer Bible School programs. Johnnie was president of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) for several years and sang in the church choir.
Following her husband’s retirement from General Motors they moved to Moundville, MO in 1976. Johnnie moved her church membership to the Moundville United Methodist Church. She joined Wayside Club and Jolly Homemakers Club. Her hobby was designing and sewing clothing for herself and her daughters, and some crafts. She loved flowers and butterflies, Cardinals, soft music and candlelight.
Johnnie is survived by two daughters, Kandye Lawler, Frankton, IN and Kelda Maynard (Barney), Bluffton, S.C., four grandchildren, Craig Green (Dana), Leisa Betz (Roy), April Poling (Stefan) and Robbin Wilson (Mike), all of Indiana; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Verna Mae Overstreet, Lee’s Summit, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, six sisters, Inez Garrett, Juanita Tooley, Allene Hiestand, Bessie Alcon, Nadine Moore, and Eva Jordan, two brothers, Dean Folkner and Ralph Folkner.
A private burial will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Dederick, MO. A memorial service to be held at Ferry Funeral Home will be announced at a later date.