HELEN J. JOHNSON
Feb. 6, 1932 - May 6, 2007
Helen Joyce Johnson, 75, of 1101 S. Madison Ave., Goldsboro, died May 6, 2007 at Wayne Memorial Hospital after her courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Hambarg, Ark., she was the only daughter to the late Mr. and Mrs. John Norman.
Mrs. Johnson was a dedicated and devoted worker. Her career included work at the NCO club and thereafter business owner of the Pirate restaurant located on Slocumb Street near the back gate of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. In the late 1960s, Mrs. Johnson opened her heart to those in her community by feeding those who could not pay. She would never let anyone leave unhappy or hungry.
She then married Warren R. Johnson. She worked alongside Warren at his gas station. Warren owned and operated the Airboro which was also located on Slocumb Street.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a friend to everyone she met. In her faith she treated everyone as though they were her own.
She is survived by her wonderful husband, Warren R. Johnson, who took excellent care of her through her illness. She has seven children, Bobby Ratliff of Nashville, Jo Anne Logan and husband, Donnie, of Goldsboro, Patsy Worley and husband, Don, of Dudley, Norma Randall and husband, Jim, of Cheyenne, Wyo., Rita Combs of Goldsboro, Raymond Johnson and wife, Darlene, of Dudley, and Billy Johnson and wife, Carol, of Texas.
She had 18 grandchildren, Jesse James Ratliff of Apex, Yvonne and Bobbie Anne of Raleigh, Robert Vinic of Washington, Michael and Joel Logan of Goldsboro, James Laws of Pikeville, Darrell Laws of Goldsboro, Beth Worley of Dudley, Collin Kelly and Alaynah Randall of Cheyenne, Wyo., David Johnson of Dudley, Steven Johnson of Dudley, Kyle Johnson of Trinity, Richard, J. P., and Brittney Combs of Goldsboro.
She also had 10 great-grandchildren, Matthew, J.R., Kristin, Cory, Aaron, Kayle, Reagan, Madison, Matthew and Cody.
Special friends in her life were Elsa Vinic of Washington, Stephanie Baker and Nathan Elsenbeck, and Ashley Price.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Master Sgt. James L. Ratliff Sr., who was killed in the Vietnam War; her oldest son, James L. Ratliff Jr.; and her best friend, Arletta Mayfield.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.shumate-faulk.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 8, 2007 2:31 PM