Elta B. “Bonnie” Johnson, 86, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, October 16, 2003, at The Harris House in Fitzgerald.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M., Sunday, October 19, 2003, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Steve Waldorf & Rev. Ted Johnson officiating.
Ms. Johnson was born May 27, 1917, in Batesville, Arkansas, to the late Grover Cleveland and Beulah Mae Eady Burge. She received her A.B. degree in Music Education from Georgia State College For Women in Milledgeville in 1938, where she was a member of the Student Council, the Young Women’s Christian Association and was a soloist with the Milledgeville College Choir. In her senior year she was elected to the Who’s Who Among American College and University Students. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald, where she was the former Choral Director and was a lifetime member of Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church. Ms. Johnson was a soloist in many recitals throughout Georgia, on stage, in churches and on WSB Radio in Atlanta. She was a former Choral Teacher at Fitzgerald High School. In 1965 she returned to Georgia State College in Milledgeville as an employee of the Alumni office and as a dormitory house director until her retirement in 1982. Her great grandaughter, Courtney Justice, preceded her in death.
Ms. Johnson is survived by: one daughter: Judie Rylee, Fitzgerald; two grandchildren: Paul Justice, Warner Robins, GA and Kimberli Stewart, Perry, GA; four great grandchildren: Kristen Justice, Karylanne Stewart, Heather Stewart & Melissa Stewart; one sister, Dorothy Mae Winn, Monroe, LA