Shirley Johnson

Shirley "Dodie" Johnson, age 79, of Powder Springs passed away June 13, 2015.

Funeral Services will be held at 3 pm on Monday, June 15, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Douglasville with Dr. John Pennington officiating.



The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 14, 215 from 5 pm until 8 pm at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory, Marietta.



Shirley Dolores Sowder Johnson, (Dodie) was born two months early, two days before Christmas in 1935 in Roanoke, VA. The doctors did not expect her to live, and sent her home from the hospital with her parents. Her father, James William Alvah Sowder, was a carpenter and built an incubator for her. Her mother, Emma Blanche Mitchell Sowder, and her father loved her through the process, not only did she live but she thrived. And, through the process, developed a never give up attitude with tons of spunk.



Dodie was the youngest of 4 children. She had two sisters and a brother. Her siblings and parents have predeceased her. Dodie attended a business college in Roanoke, VA. After graduating, she moved to Washington DC where her Aunt Ann helped her get her first job interview at the Pentagon. During the interview, her boss told her he was concerned about her lack of experience, and her response to him was she won’t have any if he won’t hire her. She was hired on the spot and began her career as a Secretary with the US Government.



In 1961 she married her husband, Ret LT Col Carl Edward Johnson, of 54 years. They had 3 children, Carl David Johnson, James Matthew Johnson, and Mary Margaret Johnson. Carl and Dodie have 7 grandchildren, and 5 step grandchildren.



Carl and Dodie lived in various places during his 20 years in the US Air Force, and in 1979 moved to Douglasville GA. They were members of First Baptist Church of Douglasville. In 2010 they moved to the Powder Springs area to be closer to their kids and grandchildren.