Sophie L. Johnson

Sophie L. Johnson, 93 of Santa Rosa, NM died Friday, April 7, 2006 in Raton, NM following an illness. Sophie was born June 26, 1912 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of James Alfred Irwin and the former Sophie Louise Gerhardt. She was reared in Santa Rosa where she attended school. Sophie married Rudolph Johnson on October 22, 1928 in Las Vegas, NM. They made their home at Vaughn, NM where they ranched for 15 years. In 1943 they made their home in Santa Rosa where Sophie and Rudolph operated the Texaco Wholesale Distribution and the Riverside Texaco service station. They also owned and operated the Johnson Farms south of Santa Rosa for many years. Sophie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa where served as a pianist and sang in the choir; she was also active in the United Methodist Women, Eastern Star, and the Garden Club. She especially enjoyed helping her family and anyone in need. Sophie was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph in 1994; a daughter Peggy Jo Blair in 1996; two sons Jimmy W. Johnson and Jack E. Johnson both in 2004; two grandsons Johnny and J.D. Johnson; her parents, five brothers Lloyd, Walter, Richard, Earl, and Alfred Irwin; and a sister Loretta Crumby. Survivors include a daughter Charlotte Schuppan and husband Ray of Raton, NM; one sister Gladys Beard of Chico, TX; 17 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation hours will be Sunday from 1pm to 6pm at the Chavez Funeral Home and Monday from 9am to 10am at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2006 from the United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa, NM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Rosa with Ernest Copeland officiating. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Melvin Johnson, Billy Johnson, Punch Hennigan, Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Jerri Johnson, Gary Blair, J.J. Floyd, Tim Spradling, and Mario Oviedo. Honorary bearers will include Walt Eastland, Ernest Copeland, Don Thompson, Sam Cowden, Bo Cribbs, Ace Thompson, Ray Schuppan, Wes Floyd, and Steve Kirkman. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Evergreen Cemetery Association or the United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369. www.chavezfuneralhome.com