Valerie Joanne Johnson

Valerie Joanne Johnson, 83, left this world on October 29, 2017.

Valerie, Born on November 25, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, was the only child of the late William and Stella Johannes and the widow of Courtney Thomas Johnson of Kinards. She is survived by her son, Thomas C. Johnson and his wife, Pamela, of Laurens, and her daughter, Cynthia A. Shafter and her husband, Richard Garth, of Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as a step-grandson, Richard Garth and his wife Amy, and their children, Allyson and Liam. Mrs. Johnson was pre-deceased by her best friend of 64 years and sister-in-law of 56 years, Sibyl Dublinski, and her brother-in-law, Edwin Dublinski.

After growing up, marrying and having their children in Chicago, Val and Court moved several times before settling in Toledo, Ohio, for 20 years. While Court worked for AT&T, Val stayed home raising their children, lovingly taking care of her family, until Tom and Cindy were in high school, when she returned to the work world as a sales clerk in the Lion department store. Val loved her job because she could interact with and help people every day. Val was “Mom” and friend to so many young people who gravitated to the loving warmth and cheerfulness that she offered to everyone. She was always eager to join in any game or adventure, never saying that she was to too tired or not in the mood, during their 51 year marriage, Val and Court loved to travel, particularly camping with their children while they were growing up. Family was the center of their worlds. After retirement, Val and Court moved to Kinards and built their dream home and became members of the community, joining Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. Following Court’s death in 2006 and several years at home, Val moved to Bailey Manor in 2012, where she was known for her constant cheerfulness, After the fire at Bailey Manor in 2014 forced her to move one more time, Val spent her last 3 years at Clinton Presbyterian Community.

The family will receive friends on October 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gray Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral services will be conducted on October 31, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, with interment at Pinelawn Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4124 Clemson Blvd #L Anderson, SC 29621.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton