Nola Johnson

Nola Frances Napier Johnson was born on February 23, 1923 in Hilton, Kentucky. She was one of 12 children born to James and Mary Elizabeth (Combs) Napier. She was raised in a very close knit, loving family. Those who knew her as a child described her as a tomboy, full of life, and even a little bit mischievous. She enjoyed hunting with her brother James, climbing trees, attending dances, and picnic lunches prepared by her beloved mother. She attended school in Hazard, Kentucky until the 8th grade, after which she had to leave home and live with various family members to complete her education. In 1939, while living with her brother Ishmael in Neon, Kentucky, she met the love of her life Talmadge Johnson. The couple courted and fell in love. At the end of her junior year, Tal joined the Army and was stationed in San Antonio, TX and then Luke Air Field in Phoenix, AZ. Though the couple was miles apart they wrote letters to each other faithfully. After she graduated Nola moved to Louisville, KY with her sisters. There she worked at a defense factory where she sewed ammunition bags for the war effort. In 1942, Tal was stationed at Roswell Army Airfield and he asked her to marry him. She rode a Greyhound bus from Louisville to Roswell to be with him. They married at the Dollahon Hotel on October 16, 1942. They had four children, twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. The couple shared 59 years of happiness and provided a wonderful example to their children and grandchildren of what a marriage should be.

Nola was a homemaker. She enjoyed staying home and raising her children and taking care of her husband. She loved and spoiled three generations of grandchildren. She was a member of West Alameda Church of Christ. She enjoyed singing gospel songs, and she and Tal traveled with a group of singers to various churches in the area. She was an avid gardener. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking. She entertained many guests in her home and was an excellent hostess. She donated her time visiting the sick, and always showed up with a homemade pie to help them feel better. She enjoyed playing cards with Tal, and when grandkids would spend the night she would always stay up and play a hand with them too. She was an excellent seamstress. She was gentle and quiet natured, and was always patient. She loved to tell stories about her childhood growing up in the hills of Kentucky. Her stories were always filled with a mixture of humor and wisdom. She enjoyed painting, and was a very talented artist. She found beauty in the simplest of things. She was never selfish, always generous and gave of her heart to everyone she came across in this life. Most of all she set an example for her children, grandchildren and everyone around her of how to lead a Christian life. To her family and friends she was always a shining example of our Lord and Savior's perfect love.

Nola left this earth to join her beloved Tal in the presence of God on December 3, 2015, at the age of 92. Though we are sad to see her leave, we will rejoice in the knowledge that she has reunited with her beloved Tal and that there is a better life beyond this world for her. Our loss is heaven's gain, there will be rejoicing as another one of God's singers returns home.
Her husband Talmadge Johnson; her parents James and Mary Napier; her brothers Ward Napier and Ishmael Napier; her sisters Tessa Sallee, Lena Combs, Verdie Napier, Ola Napier and Marie Napier preceded Nola in death. She was also preceded in death by many more beloved family members, and friends all of whom she will be glad to see once again.

Nola leaves behind: her children, Brenda Tal Johnson (Randy) Jaquess of Roswell, NM, Ronald Michael (Mary W.) Johnson of Tucson, AZ, Karla Lynn Johnson (Michael) Ridings of Universal City, TX, and Wesley Dean (Carrie) Johnson of Port Lavaca, TX; her grandchildren Brent (Rebecca) Jaquess of Las Cruces, NM, Kimberly Jaquess (Stephen) Crosby of Tucson, AZ, David (Kim Silva) Johnson of Phoenix, AZ, Kelly Johnson of OK, Robert (Libby) Johnson of Chandler, AZ, Devonna Johnson (Louie) Puroll of Oracle, AZ, Kasey Ridings (Chad) Gohlke of Ranger, TX, Brett (Alex) Ridings of Houston, TX, Jeff Ridings of Abilene, TX, Samantha Johnson (fiancé Cory) of Houston, TX, Travis Johnson of South Korea, and Ryan Johnson of Port Lavaca, TX; her great grandchildren Brittaney Crosby of Roswell, NM, Betsy Crosby(Jason) Ireland of Reno, NV, Jaye Jaquess of Las Cruces, NM, Katherine Crosby (Brendan) of Alto, NM, Jessica Crosby of Tucson, AZ, Matthew Crosby of Tucson, AZ, Canyon Johnson of OK, Brailey and Sadie Gohlke of Ranger, TX, Ford Ridings of Houston, TX, Dustin Johnson of Chandler, AZ, Abigail Johnson, of Chandler, AZ, and another great grandchild to join the family next summer ; her great-great grandchildren Kayson, Hailee, and Jonathan Best of Roswell, NM, Brett Ireland of Morenci, AZ and Trevor Dawes of Alto, NM and two more great-great grandchildren to join the family next spring; Ruby (Amel) Evans of Berea, KY, Rita (Frank) Bohannon of Louisville, KY, Ernestine (Aster) Stacey of Somerset, KY; her brother James(Gisela) Napier of North Carolina; her nephews Harry (Brenda) Tackett of Roswell, NM, and Walter (Deborah) Sallee of Roswell, NM; and her nieces Janice (Tim) Dunnahoo of Roswell, and Mary (Jerry) Salyards of Roswell, NM; and many other nephews and nieces all of whom she loved dearly. She has left behind a great legacy of love for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her, especially for those of us who had the great pleasure of calling her our beloved mother and grandmother.

A visitation will be held Sunday December 6, 2015 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 9:00 am West Alameda Church of Christ with her nephew Harry Tackett officiating, with graveside services to follow at South Park Cemetery. Nola's grandsons will serve as pallbearers and her granddaughters as honorary pallbearers. Dinner will be provided for family and friends following the conclusion of graveside service at the West Alameda Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.

The family would like to give special thanks Dr. Vaillant and Dr. Adajar for their care in treating her over the years, and to Candy Beeman, Wanda, and the rest of the caring staff at Mission Arch Care Center for the loving care they gave our beloved mother and grandmother at the end of her life. The work you do is truly amazing and the kindness each of you showed to both Nola and her family will never be forgotten.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Sunday, December 6, 2015
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Service

West Alameda Church of Christ
2807 West Alameda
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, December 7, 2015

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203