Shirley Milton Johnson

Shirley was born February 12, 1929, to Gladys Wheeler and Jay Williams in Seattle, Washington. She died August 13, 2009, in Moses Lake, Washington.

When Shirley was three months old, she survived a car wreck that took the life of her father Jay. She grew up with her mother and brother Jack and sister Melba Milton.

She married Paul Sabel when she was eighteen years old. They lived in southern California and had three children. She raised them on her own while working full time and attending college classes at night. She earned a degree in piano theory and continued to work for Fresno County and played piano for friends and events. She moved from California to Vashon Island in the early sixties. She married Ardy Johnson in 1966 and had the privilege of being able to help raise two more children. In 1971, Shirley and Ardy embarked on an adventure to remember when they purchased mining claims from Great Grandma Minnie and moved to Riggins, Idaho. They worked the claims and lived in the mountains and in Riggins until Ardy’s death in 1981.

Shirley then moved to Boise to work for the State of Idaho. A better job opportunity led her to Palmdale, California, to work as an executive secretary in the aerospace industry. She retired from Rockwell Industries in 1994 and moved back to Boise, Idaho. She continued her education, earned an associates degree and worked for H&R Block.

She moved to Moses Lake in 2000 to be closer to family and continued to work for H&R Block until 2004.

Shirley was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheralyn, her husband, Ardy, her mother, Gladys and her sister, Melba.

She is survived by her brother, Jack, her children; Elayne, Phillip, Jimmy, Mike and Cathy and their spouses, her grandchildren; Ceida, Maureen, Holly, Tiffany, Taylor, Devani, Jimmy, Ryan, Kimmy and Zach and spouses and great grandchildren; Nikolas, Brittnee, Alex, Josh and Olivia.

Shirley was tough, self-sufficient and fiercely independent. She did not hesitate to let you know her opinion.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mom, I missed you the second you left.