Rose Ella Johnson, 91, of Marianna, FL, passed away early Saturday morning, August 4, 2018 at Jackson Hospital. She has been a resident of Marianna, FL since May 2009.
Rose was born on July 13, 1927 in Atlanta, GA to Bennie Pope and Mary Fred (McCullough) Ellington. Growing up, she lived in Thomaston, GA with her parents & three brothers. Rose and her brothers grew up with numerous first cousins, as her Mother was one of 13 children. Her closest first cousin being Betty Watson Ellington (89) of Atlanta, GA. They grew up doing just about everything together as children, to include dressing alike and working in the same places as young adults. Betty and Rose were more like sisters than cousins!
Rose enjoyed the beach, sewing and dancing. She also loved to play the piano and sing. She was a member of two trios at the time of her high school graduation in 1945 from Robert E. Lee High School, Thomaston, GA. While in high school she worked as a dental assistant and for a local jewelry store. After graduation, her family moved to Orlando, FL where she worked for the GE Credit Agency. During this time is when she met her husband, Oliver. Oliver was in the Air Force and stationed at what was then known as McCoy Air Force Base. Rose married Oliver Sheldon Johnson on August 13, 1955 in Orlando, FL; they were married 48 years. Oliver spent 23 years in the Air Force as a crew chief on the B-52 bomber and flew numerous missions during WWII, Korea & Vietnam.
During Rose and Oliver’s time in the military, they moved to several places within the U.S., to include Guam. Rose worked in Civil Service as an Executive Secretary to many Base Commanders. After their military career, she and Oliver owned a successful pest control business for over 10+ years in Orlando. During her late 60’s & 70’s, while living in Fort Walton Beach, she attended classes at Gulf Coast State College for music and voice lessons and participated in local performances sponsored by the college.
Rose enjoyed being a member of numerous organizations throughout her life. Organizations she felt had an impact on others: Hospice Volunteer; Order of the Amaranth; Daughters of the American Revolution (1996-2018) and a DAR Chapter Regent.
Rose was a gentle, loving Daughter, Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother. She was a Christian woman and enjoyed attending church when she was able and reading her Bible daily. She had a way of making those around her feel loved and special. She was respected and loved by all who met her.
Rose was preceded in death by her loving husband, Oliver Johnson; her parents Bennie and Mary Fred Ellington and three brothers; Johnny, Bobby and Richard.
Rose is survived by her two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with a great-granddaughter due in March 2019: son, Franklin Sheldon Johnson and daughter-in-law Christie Johnson, their children: Alex Johnson of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Bryan Johnson and wife Jessica (daughter, Addison Presley, due in March 2019) of Boynton Beach, FL; daughter, Susan Johnson Armstrong and husband, Clayton Armstrong of Marianna, FL and their children: twins Tyler and Katelyn, Stuart and wife Billie Jo Kortus (daughter, Haylie Jo ) of Hayden, ID, and Sean and wife Alicia (son, Landon James) of Southern Pines, NC.
Rose was in the care of the wonderful staff at Peoples Funeral Home of Marianna. She was laid to rest alongside her husband, Oliver, at the Bay Pines VA National Cemetery, Saint Petersburg, FL. A memorial for Rose will be held with close family and friends in October.