Rachel Lee Johnson

Rachel Lee Johnson, 92, of Ripley, West Virginia went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 after a long illness. She was at the home of her daughter in East Peoria Illinois with family by her side. She was born on March 19, 1928 in Roane County, West Virginia to the late Willie Ray Miller and Mary Erma (Guthrie) Miller. Left behind to cherish the memory of the greatest woman they'll ever know are her son, Leo Wendal (Crystal) Johnson II of Birch River, West Virginia; and her daughter, Angela (Mark) Ferguson of East Peoria, Illinois. She's also survived by six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Rachel worked outside of the home at the sewing factory in Spencer, West Virginia and later became the first female police officer in Jackson County, West Virginia in March of 1972. She was most known for her love of family, gardening, cooking, and feeding her family and friends. If you left her house hungry, it was because you didn’t sit down at the dinner table. In addition to her parents, Rachel is now reunited with her loving husband of 59 years, Leo Wendal Johnson; daughter, Cheryl Lynn Johnson; and son, Randall Ray Johnson. Also awaiting are her sisters, Maggie Miller, Hazel Lowther Seaman, Thelma Harrison and Mildred Kerns; brothers, Harold Miller, Elmer Miller, Charles Miller, Wayne Miller, Henry Miller, Billie Miller, and Russell Miller Funeral Service will be 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5th at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Roane County, West Virginia. A special thank you to the OSF St. Francis Medical Center and Hospice teams and Gary Deiters Funeral Home in East Peoria for everything you provided for our family. Due to Covid 19, please follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing and if possible, please wear a mask for your protection. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery Fund.