Carol J. Johnson, of Chehalis, Washington passed away peacefully in her home the evening of Jan. 22, 2022, after battling health issues the past few years. She has joined her husband, Art, who preceded her in passing and they are together once again. Carol spent these last few years surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren and friends. She was born May 19, 1937, in Olympia, Washington, the only child of Andrew and Helen Chambers who were of Scandinavian and Irish descent with ancestors that were early settlers of the South Sound area of Washington. Carol grew up in Yelm, Washington where she spent the early part of her life, splitting time between home, logging camps, her grandparents Mary and Rudolph Johnson, and Cobblestone Sun Tanners in the summertime. She met her husband Art at a local dance hall while he was stationed at Joint Base Lewis–McChord a short distance away. She fiand Art had six children, five sons and one daughter who were everything to them and will miss her greatly. They are Paul and Jackie Johnson, Centralia, Washington; Karen O’Neal, Chehalis, Washington; Bill Johnson, Chehalis, Washington; Kenneth Johnson, Chehalis, Washington; Craig and Debby Johnson of Apple Valley, California; and Eric and Lisha Johnson of Spokane Valley, Washington. Carol had 14 grandchildren who were all very special to her. They include Steven Johnson who preceded her in passing, Danny Johnson, P.J. Johnson, Dana Johnson, Cathy, Robin, Alissa Brooks Johnson, Nicole Bukucs, Tara Watson, Adam McIntyre, Sarah Calderon, Anthony Romero, as well as 27 great-grandchildren and, Alex Romero who preceded her passing. Carol was a huge animal lover who had many special animals over the years. Most recently, it was her beloved dog Rowdy who passed away some years ago and Berkley whom she leaves behind. They gave her great comfort and much joy.
Carol spent many memorable years with her husband Art being a mother and homemaker as they moved to a few different cities in western Washington and the Olympic Peninsula for work. Eventually they settled in Chehalis to raise their family. In addition to being a fulltime mom, Carol worked at Sears and Montgomery Ward in sales and in the paint department winning awards for outstanding employee. Carol was a loving mother and wife who sacrificed so much to provide everything she could with an abundance of love and care for her children. She said many times that her greatest joy in life was raising her kids. She was very fond and motherly to all the neighborhood kids that her sons and daughter brought into their home, and many were considered part of the family. She instilled her great love of the land and the outdoors in her children, especially the area of the Bald Hills where she spent much of her childhood growing up with her closest friends and cousins: Susan Coombs, Lovina Rebman, Pat, Cathy and Penny Johnson, close friend Bill Wheeler, and many others.
The family is very appreciative of Carol and Art’s many friends who have been so supportive over the years and who were always there to help, listen or offer a meal. A special thanks to her daughter Karen who lived with and cared for her mom, and daughter-in-law Jackie who also gave her much care and love.
A private celebration of life will be held with family and friends this spring. A time and location will be announced at a later date.
