Virginia Johnson

Virginia Johnson, near life-long resident of Socorro, died peacefully at home Saturday, December 16, 2017 surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born in Iowa and spent her youth there. However, she will be remembered for her life’s work and involvement in so many activities in the community she adopted 62 years ago when she moved here to farm 52 acres north of Socorro with her late husband, Walter Johnson.

She is remembered fondly as a 2nd grade teacher who gave great end of school parties at her farm, a newspaper reporter and photographer for years with the Defensor Chieftain, Albuquerque Journal, and El Paso Times, and a valued board member for Socorro Mental health. She was a member of San Miguel Church and an associate member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, delivery driver for Meals on Wheels, Hospice volunteer, Senior Olympic bowling champion, board member of the Socorro Soil and Water Conservation District, volunteer at the Socorro Animal Shelter, and a bell ringer for Puerto Seguro. Her positive attitude and philanthropy touched lives around the world.

She is survived by daughters, Emily Johnson (Randall Engle) and Leslie Johnson (Greg Coyle); granddaughters, Jocelyn Nelson (Travis), Caroline Maynard (Russell Parson), Nicola Maynard (Brian Wanner), Abigail Smoake, and Elizabeth Smoake (Abdel Rahman Alzorgan); step-grandchildren, Andrea Kieffer, David and Karen Smoake, and Jesse Engle ; and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Conner Nelson, Lillianna Wanner, and Astrid and Elna Parson.

Her family is deeply grateful for the love and care given by Leticia Morales in her final years.

A Rosary and Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at San Miguel Church, 403 El Camino Real, Socorro, NM 87801.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a contribution to UNHCR, the United Nations organization supporting refugees worldwide at donate.unhcr.org or the charity of your choice.