1920 Cora 2015

Cora Lee Johnson

August 5, 1920 — November 3, 2015

Cora Lee Johnson, “Coco” as she was fondly called, returned to her Heavenly Father on November 3, 2015.
Coco was born at home in railroad junction of Thistle, Utah.  She was the 7th out of 10 children of Hattie Lee Johnson and Willis Kelsey Johnson.  Coco also had a half-brother Clark L. Johnson she admired.  Coco was a direct descendent of Aaron Johnson, who was an early settler in the town of Springville, Utah.
Coco had a happy childhood; she greatly loved her parents, brothers and sisters.
Coco often told stories of the Great Depression of 1929, when she was 9 years of age.  She spoke of hitchhikers, sometimes called hobos, who would jump on the trains coming to Thistle.  Many of these hitchhikers knocked on the door to their family home to ask for food.  Coco said, “her beautiful and generous mother never turned anyone away hungry, and would provide food.”
Coco first attended school in Thistle, where the first through the sixth grades were in the same classroom.  She graduated from Spanish Fork High School where she played the clarinet.
After High School, Coco worked in the Thistle Post Office.  World War II had begun.  Coco had five brothers and one brother-in-law in the military service.  Coco decided she could not stay at home, and she joined the Coast Guard SPARS.
Coco did her boot camp training in Palm Beach, Florida.  At that time there was no barracks for women, so she was housed at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  Coco was quickly placed in charge of the base Post Office given her prior experience.  She was then transferred to Point Loma San Diego, where she completed the remainder of her military service.  Here she was again put in charge of the base Post Office, and was the first women on the base to replace a man for sea duty.
Coco had always loved doing hair, even as a teenager.  When she was discharged from the SPARS, she attended Cosmetology School.   Coco soon owned and operated her own Beauty Salon, “The Artistic Beauty Salon” on 2nd South in Springville for over 50 years.  Coco referred to her patrons as “friends”.   Many were with her, for over 50 years.  Coco was also blessed with many wonderful hairdressers who worked in her salon.   Her last colleague was Colleen Stradling, she worked with Coco for 33 years.
Coco was very active with the Utah State Cosmetology Association.   She held many positions on the Board of Directors (Hair Fashion Committee), including State President.  She also served on The National Cosmetology Association Board.  Coco toured many parts of the world with fellow Cosmetologists.
Coco was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  One of her favorite positions was serving as Cub Scout Den Leader.
Coco loved her large and extensive family.  Her favorite times were spent with her family.  She was an organizer and participant at family reunions for both the Willis Kelsey Johnson Family and the even larger Aaron Johnson Family.
Coco was artistic, some of her hobbies were: decoupage, toll painting, ceramics, and scrapbooking.  She was also a collector, a sample of her collections would include: handkerchiefs, dolls, tea sets and Victorian shoes.
In 2004 Coco moved to California to live with her great nephew, Chad Holman.  In 2011 after an emergency surgery, Coco became non-ambulatory.  Chad continued to care for her at home, with the aid of loving and devoted caregivers.  Chad was by her side, when she passed away peacefully in the early morning.
All who knew her know that Coco had an adventurous and long life.  She was fun, outgoing, caring, capable and very loving.   She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.  At this time, she would want us to be happy in celebration of her long and accomplished life.
The services will be Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah 84663.  The viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; memorial service at 11:00 a.m. followed by the graveside service at approximately 12:15 p.m.
Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuaries.com

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