Johnson, Sophie

Sophie L. Johnson, 93, of Santa Rosa died Friday, April 7, 2006, in Raton following an illness.

Born June 26, 1912, in Fort Sumner to James Alfred Irwin and the former Sophie Louise Gerhardt, she was raised and attended school in Santa Rosa.

She married Rudolph Johnson on Oct. 22, 1928, in Las Vegas, N.M. They ranched in Vaughn for 15 years. They moved to Santa Rosa in 1943, where they operated the Texaco Wholesale Distribution and the Riverside Texaco service stations. For many years, they also owned and operated the Johnson Farms south of Santa Rosa.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa, where she 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 was preceded in death by her husband 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; a sister, Gladys Beard of Chico, Texas; 18 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Chavez Funeral Home and 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Ernest Copeland will officiate.

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.

Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home, Santa Rosa.