Obituary - Ella Wood Johnson
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Ella was born in Cooper VA on the south banks of the Rappahannock River where her parents, Philip C. and Wilda B. Wood, managed the enterprises of the Burhans Wharf Steamboat Landing with its travelers, post office, pickle factory and waterman community. She shared many childhood adventures among the boats, docks and beaches with her younger brother Raymond and her dog Jack. Ella graduated second in her class from Syringa High School in Middlesex County in 1939. In 1942 she moved to Richmond, where she lived on fashionable Floyd Avenue and attended Pan American Business School.
Ella’s impressive memory and sharp mind for figures made her a talented young employee of several Richmond businesses - Miller & Rhodes, International Harvester, and Apple Glass Shops, culminating in a remarkable thirty-four year career with Mutual Insurance, Co. Inc.
She married Everett L. Johnson in 1954, and they lived in Chesterfield County where they enjoyed spending time with many friends and relations. Ella was a longtime member of Berryman United Methodist Church. She continued to live on Blakemore Drive after Everett passed in 1987 until she moved to Lakewood Manor Retirement Community in Henrico. She lived there for twenty-four years and once described LWM as “the best thing next to heaven.”
Avid gardener, baker of spoon bread and sweets, Ella was also a lifelong collector of cards, letters, recipes and news clippings. She was also of keeper of the family trees (Wood, Blake, Edwards, Butler, Taylor, Stiers, Drewery & Hollingsworth), and maintained many indexed scrapbooks which she was always glad to show and tell.
She had a fondness for pretty things especially when they were pink.
Ella never shied from sharing her preferences and opinions whether about current elections, the menu offerings or the best way to prepare fresh butter beans. She wrote many letters and often expressed the great joy she felt from her friendships and family.
The family would like to express our gratitude to the many caregivers at Lakewood Manor and At Home Care & Hospice for their daily acts of service and love.
A visitation will take place on Monday, April 28, 4-7pm at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229 with a private graveside service at Maury Cemetery, 2700 Maury St. Richmond 23224.
