She grew up in Kansas City but completed her junior and senior years, graduating from Osceola High School. Following graduation she worked for McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis before returning to the area and marrying Orval Johnson. She operated her own beauty shop before staying at home and raising her family on the farm outside of Appleton City, Missouri. Later, she moved to Sedalia, Missouri where she remarried and became a nurse. She moved to Clinton and finished her remaining years there.
Lella was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Robert Cross and her daughter Renee. Survivors include her sons, Blair Johnson of Clinton, Missouri and Craig Johnson of Appleton City, Missouri; six grandkids and several great-grandkids.
Courtesy Hill & Son Funeral Home