Melba Ruth “Sandy” Johnson died on Sunday, Feb. 7, after a short illness. She was 91.
A graduate of Chattanooga High School, she acquired her B.A. degree in English from UT-Chattanooga at the age of 60. Mrs. Johnson was born in Mt. Airy to Willard Samuel Panter and Nellie Ruth Parham. During World War II, she worked as a bank clerk in Chattanooga. She later was a loan officer at the Mueller Employees Federal Credit Union.
Mrs. Johnson’s husband, Colonel James E. Johnson Jr., died in 2008.
Called Mebs, Sandy, and Johnsie by friends and family, she is survived by three sons: James Steven Johnson and his wife, Linda, Chattanooga; Michael Lynn Johnson and his wife, Lisa, Ila, Ga.; and John Gregory Johnson, Atlanta; a grandson, Paul Hunter Johnson, East Ridge; a brother, Lynn Panter and his wife, Pat, of Soddy Daisy; two sisters, Barbara Bennett and her husband, Bud, Jacksonville, Fla., and Wanda Thomas, Hixson; and her dear friend Charlie Watson.
At Mrs. Johnson’s request, there will be no public funeral service. The family will hold a private memorial service on Saturday.
Her generosity, her humor, and her love will always be with us.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.