Martha "Betty" Johnson

Martha E. "Betty" Johnson, 89, of Quinnesec, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Betty was born on August 5, 1924, in Florence, South Carolina, the daughter of the late James and Laurie (Gorman) Hollingsworth. She was a 1942 graduate of Tubman High School in Augusta, GA. Betty entered the Air Force in honor of her brother, James Hollingsworth, who was killed in action. She was first assigned with the Air Force and then later to the Third Army where she was the secretary to the chief of staff, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. While in Washington, Betty asked to be sent on overseas duty. She chose Atlantic since her brother was buried in England. While serving in Germany, she went to Hitler's Hideout, rode in Gering's train car, and attended a portion of the Nuremberg Trials. The Nuremberg Trials were a series of trials from 1945-1949 that prosecuted prominent leaders of Nazi Germany after its defeat in World War II. The most memorable event for Betty was on Feb. 3 and Feb. 8, 1947. Those were the days in which she and her husband, Lee, were married in Germany. After getting permission from both of their commanders to be married, they first had to be married by the law of the land on Feb. 3, and on Feb. 8 had their church wedding performed by a chaplain. At the end of her military career, she had earned the rank of staff sergeant. Some of her commendations include the European and American Theatre Ribbons, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Stripes, and Victory Medal as well as her superior rating while working for Gen. Eisenhower. As a mother, she stayed very active in the community. She taught Red Cross swimming and lifesaving for 42 years, was involved as a 4-H leader and in the Boy Scouts. She directed the Precisionaires Drill team and was affiliated with the White Beret Drum and Bugle Corps when her son was a member. A love of music has always been center in her life, at the age of 16, she was the only child admitted to the Augusta Civic Symphony playing the clarinet. She also played the violin and had been involved with symphony orchestras in various areas and played in the orchestra for many local musicals. Betty had an unshakable faith and was a member of Redemption Hill Church. Her life focused on a love of God, family and country and the example she has set will be carried on by her family for generations to come. Betty is survived by five children, Howard (Patti) Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Dave Johnson (Nancy Naylor) of Iron Mountain, MI, James (Mindy) Johnson of Oconto Falls, WI, Laurene "Rene" (Jeff) Gustafson of Iron Mountain, MI, Ava Johnson (Mark Mitchell) of Kingsford and a very special niece, considered a daughter, Linda (Al) Westman of Quinnesec. Additionally, Betty has many beloved grandchildren & great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Lee H. Johnson in 1999; an infant son, David Johnson and two brothers, James and David Hollingsworth. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Redemption Hill Church in Kingsford. A memorial service will follow at 4:00pm on Tuesday at the church. Rev. Ronald Wolfe will officiate. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Betty's memory Condolences to the family Martha E. "Betty" Johnson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Martha "Betty" Johnson

August 5, 1924 - February 19, 2014