Irene Sales Johnson
July 25, 1925 ~ September 25, 2000
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
IRENE SALES JOHNSON
Irene Tempa Sales
Johnson, described by her children
as “best mother in the world” died
Monday, September 25, 2000, at the
age of seventy-five after battling
ovarian cancer.
She was born and raised
in Fairview, attended nursing
school at Grady Medical Hospital in
Atlanta, and joined the Army Nurse
Corps in the late 1940’s. After
traveling throughout Europe, Irene
met Lloyd V. Johnson while the two
were stationed in Germany. They
were married for 36 years until his
death in 1989. Returning to
Asheville in 1970, she practiced
nursing at St. Joseph’s and Oteen
VA Medical Center until her
retirement in 1987.
Irene loved poetry,
knitting, the color blue, the Atlanta
Braves, a good cup of coffee, and
carnations. She had a quiet way
about her, and at the same time
possessed an unrivaled, fiery
independence. Her heart
overflowed with love and
acceptance for everyone.
She is survived by her
seven children: John, Kathryn,
William, Susan, Charles, Margaret,
and James; and also by her
grandchildren, Ali and Aubrie
Johnson, Katie and Will Cameron,
Peter, Geoffrey, Stephen, and Katie
Lorenz, Jacob, Jeff and James
Johnson, Analise and Matthias
Brown, Abbey Hooker, Mally and
Hannes Dietrich, and Steven,
Patrick, Sara, and Carmel Johnson.
Also surviving are her
five siblings: Mildred Wright,
Evelyn Keever, Lovina “Cricket”
Merrill, Garylee “Bill” Goldsmith,
and Gary Sales, Jr.
A graveside service will
be held at 11:00 am Thursday at
Cane Creek Cemetery, Fairview.
Friends and family will
meet at Irene’s home following the
service.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be made to
Mountain Area Hospice Solace
Center, PO Box 16, Asheville, NC
28802.
Groce Funeral Home on
Patton Avenue is in charge of the
arrangements.
You are our best friend, Mom.
i was passing through on internet and read such a nice write up on your mother. heaven needed more like her.
I am so sorry to learn of your mother’s death. You were so fortune to have had her for 75 years. She was a wonderful person.
The loss of a mother at any age is difficult. My mother and your mother’s cousin died prematurely at age 46 and I still miss her.
Live with the good memories she has left you. Love, Maxine
Irene opened my eyes to the world by sharing her travels
and her adventures with me. She was then an Army Nurse and
I a toddler. Her wonderful gift of sharing has shaped my dreams and my life. We love your mother deeply.
Thinking of you during this time. May God give you strength. Irene was my Mom’s (Lena Earwood Ownbey) cousin. I can remember your family moving back to N.C. My Mother passed away 28 years ago on September 24. I remember your lovely Mother and know you will miss her.
With deepest sympathy. You are in our prayers.
Bill, Ann, and Rachel Crisp
My special sister, love and kisses always
Love to a wonderful aunt
Larry & Patara
We want to extend our sincere
sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
Trey & Carolyn Tingle