Virginia Lee Johnson

Virginia Lee Johnson, aged 87, passed away on September 6, 2026, in Kennewick, WA. Virginia was born July 17, 1939, to Paul and Florence (Craig) Cantrell in Detroit, MI. She spent her early childhood in Michigan, later moving to Arkansas, where she was raised with her 3 siblings: Marilyn, Doris and little brother, Paul Jr. She and her family moved to Hermiston, OR, in 1948, where her father worked on the McNary Dam. Virginia married Maurice F. Walker on December 17, 1960, in Colville, WA. They raised their family in Kettle Falls, WA, on a small farm with cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats. (Yeah, cause the goats didn’t work out!)

 They planted a small orchard and grew a huge garden that included a small but productive Concord grape vine. Virginia was creative, writing and reading poetry and even taking up piano lessons. She loved baking, sewing, and, of course, singing along with Elvis! Sadly, her husband Maury died in the winter of 1990. Not long after, while visiting family in Sitka, AK (Betty and Jerry Walker), she was introduced to a wonderful man from Juneau. On July 6, 1991, Virginia married Theo Dave Johnson, and so began her Alaska adventure! 

They returned to Kettle Falls in 2000. After many happy years there, they decided in 2019 to make the move to Arizona to give those mild winters a try. They moved to Kennewick to be near family in November of 2023. Virginia was baptized in 1950 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and served her God, Jehovah, with her whole heart, soul, mind, and strength! She dedicated nearly 25 years of her life to teaching her neighbors the Bible, spending many hours a month in that activity. Even when her mind and body began to fail, her love for the Truth brought her clarity and much joy! Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved son, Dennis Lee Walker, her first husband, Maurice Walker, and her parents Paul and Florence Cantrell. 

She was followed in death by her sister, Marilyn Goransson, who died just 2 days after her. Her memory is cherished by her husband Theo Dave Johnson and her children: Frank Walker ( Jenny) of Kettle Falls, WA; Pamela Simons (Rick) of Kennewick, WA; her three grandchildren: Shelby Simons (Kayla) of Winnemucca, NV; Adrianne Newell (Andrew) of Columbus, MT and Shane Simons of Kennewick, WA, along with 7 great-grandchildren: Colby, Anna, Aryah, Sophia, Camryn, Avery, Tristan, and one great-great-grandchild, Elizabeth and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and wonderful friends! A Memorial will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4100 W. Kennewick Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336. For those who would like information on attending via Zoom, please send a request to pammyjo_82@yahoo. com