Shirley Wagoner Johnson

Shirley Wagoner Johnson of Fairfax, Virginia (formerly of Lakeland, Florida), died Wednesday, January 12, 2023. She was 87.

“Mom was a fun and vibrant woman who loved to entertain and enjoy good food and good friends”, said her daughter. “She was a brave and courageous thriver in her battle to fight cancer.”

Born in Albany, NY, on April 5, 1935, she married her college sweetheart, Dr. W.P. “Tad” Johnson, on July 12, 1958. W.P., as he was often called, was a prominent Watson Clinic dermatologist.

As a young girl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Wagoner. Mrs. Johnson graduated from her elementary school with the highest grade point average of her class while being active in her church young peoples’ group, studying piano, and holding camp council leadership positions at Westminster Fellowship Camp.

For high school, Shirley Johnson attended the Milne School and maintained a 95% average, graduating as one of five valedictorians. She also won the prize for the best girl citizen. While in high school, she participated in many school activities including being a representative of the student council, violinist in the orchestra, member of the girls’ athletic association, and member of a sorority focused on community service. During these high school years, she prepared for a graduation recital from the Octavo School of Musical Art performed on May 2, 1953, at the Woman’s Club of Albany.

She received a Bachelor of Science in home economics in 1956, from Cornell University in New York where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Omicron Nu, and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree from the University of Texas.

The Johnsons moved to Lakeland in 1966, and Shirley Johnson was an active member of the Lakeland community until moving to Virginia to live near grandchildren in 2017. In Lakeland, Mom devoted much of her time to P.E.O., DAR, First Presbyterian Church, and her beloved bridge club friends. She loved to play golf and travel the world visiting almost all continents. While local, she loved to spend time on the water, boating and fishing. A true outdoors woman, she enjoyed watching animals and birds that shared her environment. Shirley prioritized her family first, but when years allowed, she had two careers. She was a college professor at Webber College and she was a Lakeland realtor.

Shirley Johnson is survived by her three children, Wilhelm Paul Johnson III, Crystal River, FL, Patricia Graff (Brian), Oakton, VA, and Pamela J. Karry (John), McKinney, TX: 5 grandchildren; and her sister, Joanna Wagoner Brousell, Ocala, FL.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland. Reception to celebrate her life to follow.