Willaree Johnson

Willaree Ledford Johnson, age 85, of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Mrs. Johnson was a native of Hayesville, NC and graduated from Hayesville High School in 1957. She was raised in a loving family by her parents Earl Ledford and Vinnie Mae McNabb Ledford along with her sisters, Eulene, Elvadeen, Brenda, Judy and brother Harold.

She moved to Atlanta after high school to work at Southern Bell and met her future husband, Thomas Reams Johnson, in their boarding house on Ponce de Leon Ave. Thomas and Willaree raised their three children, Leon, Johnny and Marie in Buford and retired to Cornelia, GA. Willaree was retired from Stork Gamco as systems operator. She was a member of Level Grove Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas Reams Johnson, sisters Eulene Lanning, Elvadeen Gunn, brother Harold Ledford, and great-grandchild, Peyton Johnson. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Marie and Brian Ivy of Gainesville; sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Sandra Johnson of Flowery Branch; Johnny and Lisa Johnson of Gainesville; Grandchildren April Garrett, Scarlette Smith, Bridgette Johnson, Catie Stephens, Matthew Ivy, Michala Ivy, Thomas Johnson and Mary Katherine Walker. She also had 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2023, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel with Rev. Terry Rice officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2023, at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.