BESSIE JOHNSON

1918 - 2013

Bessie Jean Johnson (formerly McCarley - nee Stewart), beloved wife of the late J.V. "Mutt" McCarley and W.S. "Bill" Johnson, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the age of 95 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, November 22, 2013 between 7:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Alana Johnson officiating. Burial followed at the Vauxhall Cemetery.
Bessie is survived by her daughter Echo McCarley of Lethbridge; niece Dixie McCarley (Bill Darr) of Coaldale; step children Diane Virostek of Lethbridge, Connie (Howard) Yanosik of Lethbridge and Bernie (Michele) Johnson of Sun Valley, Idaho as well as their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her adopted family Elsie Friesen, Jake and Sheila Friesen, Tina and Gerald Oevering and Bridget Given.
She was predeceased by her first husband J.V. "Mutt" McCarley, and her second husband W.S. "Bill" Johnson; parents Alexander Armstrong and Ella Mae Stewart; brother John "Jack" Clarkson Stewart; sister Mae McCord and brother-in-law Bud McCord.
Bessie was born May 18, 1918 in the Galt Hospital in Lethbridge. When she was five the family moved to an irrigation farm near Vauxhall where she resided for the rest of her life.
In 1941 Bessie married J.V. "Mutt" McCarley and they farmed in the area before going into the trucking, bulk oil and fertilizer business. During her many years of residence in Vauxhall she worked at the bulk oil plant, Animal Clinic and drove school bus.
Bessie and her family were very involved with horses and rodeo for many years. She was an accomplished horse woman. Support and commitment to the community was very important to her. Her motto was “support the community you live in”, and she did as an active member of the Parkview United Church UCW, Vauxhall Golf Club, Curling Club, Vauxhall Saddle Club, Southern Alberta Riding and Roping Club, Order of the Vauxhall Eastern Star and the Vauxhall Willing Workers Club. Bessie took particular pride in the Golf Club where, as President, she got the underground watering system in place, as well she was very involved in the women’s and junior golf programs.
She always enjoyed people and had an open door policy at her home. The coffee was always on and she was ready to prepare a meal at a moment’s notice. She was a hard working, gracious, happy, encouraging person who never complained and always looked at the bright side of things.
After being alone for years after Mutt died, she married W.S. "Bill" Johnson in December 1979 and continued to live in Vauxhall. Bessie was fortunate to have great friends and neighbors who dropped in on a regular basis allowing her to live independently until the age of ninety three. At this time she moved in with her daughter, Echo and lived in Lethbridge until her passing. She will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bessie’s name may be made directly to the Vauxhall Cemetery Committee, Box 849, Vauxhall, Alberta T0K 2K0.