Johnnie Fredericks
Johnnie Lawrence Fredericks, of Denver, Colorado, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Born March 22, 1929, in Chattanooga, Johnnie Fredericks grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood, attended Chattanooga High School and Sullins College in Bristol, Va., before finishing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. After graduation, she took a position as an elementary school teacher, before being asked to accompany her youngest sister to New York City where she found an interesting job for herself with United Airlines as a passenger agent at the East Side Airlines Terminal.
One of her instructors at United was Jack Fredericks, who later became her husband. They were married in March 1958. United moved them to a new assignment in Cheyenne, Wy. and then to a permanent location in Denver, where Jack became an airline flight crew instructor.
Their son, Jay Hudson Fredericks, was born in November 1963. Johnnie soon became involved in all of his activities; volunteering at school and in parent organizations, being a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and supporting youth athletic teams were of primary importance. Johnnie had a deep love for travel and made sure the family took advantage of the many airline travel opportunities.
Johnnie worked for several years selling advertising for the Aurora Sun weekly newspaper and managing the United Mainliner employee store at Stapleton Airport. Her frequent charity work focused on active membership in P.E.O. and The Assistance League of Denver.
Despite some health challenges at the later part of her life, Johnnie maintained a zest for living. She loved her traveling experiences, lighthouses, walking on salt water beaches, dining out, training dogs, square dancing and playing golf. Blessed with a trained alto voice, she sang in college groups and her church choirs.
Johnnie is survived by Jack, her husband of 59 years, son, Jay, his wife Sheryl, and their three children, Carly, Hudson and Quinn, and several close nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Margaret Stamper, Mary Finley Lytle and Betty Olsen.
Family and friends will gather together on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. for a graveside service at Forest Hills Cemetery with McCallie School Chaplain Josh Deitrick officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Johnnie may be given to: Muscular Dystrophy Association, earmarked for Becker Research Online at www.mda.org or at P.O. Box 97075, Washington, DC 20090; or to: Assistance League – Denver Colorado 1331 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.
Please share your memories at: ChattanoogaEastChapel.com