Hazel Virginia Johnson

SHREVEPORT, LA - In the early morning of Tuesday, February 23, 2016, God reached down and wrapped his arms around our mother and took her home. Hazel Virginia Riley Johnson was born on October 24, 1926 in Mira, Louisiana to Mason S. And Vertie Lee Riley. Hazel was the youngest of four children, preceded in death by her sisters, Frances Barrington and Mildred Roberts and her brother, Sellars Riley. We are sure there was a glorious reunion awaiting her in heaven with Odwin Lee Johnson, her husband of nearly 30 years and her family. After graduation from Bright Star High School, she moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, and took her first job with the Telephone Company as an operator, with soon took her to Shreveport, Louisiana, working as a switchboard operator at the Washington Youree Hotel. With the closing of the hotel, she made her next and last employment move. She was interviewed and hired for the position of admissions clerk at Confederate Memorial Hospital, what is now known as University Health, where she remained employed for the next 30 years. She told the story that she was hired for her lovely penmanship. She remained working there through two different locations, three name changes. Most importantly was that she met the love of her life there, marrying Odwin in 1955. Her hobbies included quilting, reading her bible every day, working jigsaw puzzles, cooking candies and making the very best fried apple pies imaginable. Most of these activities could only be accomplished with her country and gospel music blaring in the background. She remained busy as long as her eyesight allowed. She doted on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to tease and laugh. Left to cherish and share her memory is her daughter, Pamela Cantley and husband, Ricky; son, William M. (Buddy) Johnson and wife, Tanyau; her grandsons, Blake Johnson and Andrew Johnson and wife, Megan; two great-grandsons, Trenton Johnson and Tayton Johnson. She will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. It does not matter what name you called her, Momma, Mom-In-Law, Hazel, Mimi, Grandma, Aunt, Miss Hazel or Mrs. Johnson. She loved each and every one of us simply for who we were and it is a great comfort to remember that we were always in her prayers. A service of Celebration of the Life of Hazel Virginia Johnson will be held at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel, on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Woody Janise officiating. Pallbearers are nephews Bill Griffin, Richard Laux, Charles Johnson, Jake Linn, Michael Roberts, and Jim Riley. Interment will immediately follow the service at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd., Shreveport, LA 71109. Visitation with the family is Friday night, February 26, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home. The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Hospice of Shreveport Bossier for their kind and compassionate care. Memorial donations may be directed to the Humane Society of NW Louisiana, 2544 Linwood Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103 or Disabled American Veterans of Louisiana, P.O. Box 1271, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.