Effie “Gail” Johnson, 79, of Llano, formerly of Uvalde, died on June 7, 2016, from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident while vacationing with friends on Mackinac Island, Michigan. She was born on Feb. 10, 1937, in Llano to Jewel (Ricketson) and Thomas Gregory. She graduated from Llano High School and Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, where she met and married Don Ross “Dugan” Johnson in 1955. After graduating from college, the couple lived and raised their family in several cities, such as Mason, Plainview, Hereford, Alpine and Uvalde, before returning to Llano full-time in 2003. Johnson taught elementary school and went on to earn a master’s degree in education. The family says she was proud to have followed in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher and to have a daughter and granddaughters that followed the same path. According to the family, she was known for her smile, quick laugh and enthusiasm for life; they say if someone asked, “Gail, do you want to …?,” her answer was always, “Yes!” The family says she was an active member of the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir, participating in missions, volunteer activities, and fellowship. According to the family, she was a master gardener, an active bridge player and a community volunteer; her favorite activity was travel, and she experienced many parts of the world with her friends an family. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Tom Johnson; and one granddaughter, Shawna Johnson. She is survived by one daughter, Eva Doran of Cedar Park; one son, Donny Johnson and wife, Teri, of Liberty Hill; one sister, Frankie Jean O’Rorke of Conroe; six grandchildren, Shannon Lindsey and husband, Chris, Shea Johnson, Skye Crane and husband, Kyle, Kailee McCall and husband, Travis, Andy Doran, and Darby Doran; two great-grandchildren, and one on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A celebration of life was held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church in Llano. A brief graveside service at Oxford Cemetery followed. Memorial donations may be made to the Llano County Master Gardeners, c/o Llano County Extension Office, 1447 E. State Hwy. 71, Unit E, Llano, TX, 78643; Llano Women’s Culture Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 613, Llano, TX, 78643; or the Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Llano, TX, 78643, for the Costa Rica Mission Program.
WALDROPE–HATFIELD–HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOMES, INC., WWW.WHHFUNERALHOME.COM
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