Victoria Lynn Johnson

“At the shrine of friendship never say die.
May the wine of friendship never run dry.”
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Those words, beautiful lyrics from the musical Les Miserables, are what Victoria Johnson requested be used to begin her obituary.

Victoria Lynn Johnson passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 after an incredibly miraculous fight against Stage IV breast cancer for over 20 years. Over the course of her battle with the disease, Victoria was never in remission and underwent treatment throughout. Her story is a miracle. She survived a death sentence of 18 months to live, overcoming every obstacle cancer threw at her. She baffled her doctors at MD Anderson time and time again by living long past the prognosis they delivered. For more than 2 decades. Victoria had a desire to live life to the fullest. She wanted to experience everything with zest. The good, as well as the bad. Against insurmountable odds, she kept up the fight and could honestly say that she experienced a life lived well.

Friendship kept Victoria alive.

Victoria leaves behind countless friends. Friends from every corner of the globe. She never met a stranger. Throughout the course of her life. From Atlanta, to New York City, to Los Angeles, throughout Europe, including many tiny principalities, to Aspen, and finally to Houston… as well as any place she found herself on holiday or otherwise. She made friends, whom she kept for life.

Victoria Lynn Johnson was born Vicki Lynn Johnson in Atlanta, GA on March 1, 1952.

Victoria had a vision from an early age. She enrolled herself in Len Chris Ann Charm School, as she was already eagerly anticipating a world beyond Georgia. – And no one was more prepared for the surprises of each day than Victoria.

At 17, Victoria met her best friend for life, her husband James Arnold. They were married in Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica. It was a perfect affair. All family attended. Jim then joined Victoria’s father, Carroll Johnson in business, and provided Vicki Lynn with an amazing home. His love and support for her never wavered. In his own words, “Not a moment goes by that I’m not thinking of her. For half a century we had the most unbelievable relationship. Before, after, and in-between ... everything.”

Victoria graduated from Bauder Fashion College in Miami, FL, but with her incredible beauty, charm and confidence, and of course THAT hair… and not to forget her keen sense of fashion, professional modeling was a natural step for Victoria. In no time, she was signed by two agencies in Atlanta. She booked a national commercial soon thereafter. Victoria began appearing on TV screens over and over and over again in the classic 1970’s Shake ‘n Bake commercial where she more than “helped.” Soon thereafter, The Zoli Modeling Agency in NYC decided to take a chance on the beautiful “short” girl. Victoria’s image soon graced the print campaigns of Charles of the Ritz, Konica Cameras, Avon Books, Sears, RJ Reynolds, Omni Hotels, Lip Quencher, Headstart Shampoo, Faded Glory Jeans, European Health Spas, Delta Airlines and Cosmopolitan Magazine. In print, Victoria simply rose above all the others. And most will recall the sassy satin cowgirl giving “that Jordache look” while riding a mechanical bull. That was Victoria. That one TV commercial became the talk of the town in New York, adding to Victoria’s celebrity status at the infamous Regine’s and Studio 54.

When Penthouse Magazine came calling, Victoria decided maybe her life needed a little shaking up. Victoria liked to break the mold. A short time later, her centerfold photo shoot was done by Vogue photographer Stan Malinowski. Her first cover, Pet of the Year Award and issue, and 6 more U.S. Covers, as well as 7 covers of other magazines that Penthouse owned and distributed worldwide. Totaling 15 covers! The newsstand loved Victoria as much as her Penthouse family did. Victoria was approached and asked to autograph her headshots at department stores, naval bases, nightclubs, Grand Central Station, Veteran’s hospitals, Grand Prix events, airport kiosks, world team tennis courts, electronics conventions, hockey rinks and photography trade shows. In Japan, she was adored by fans. That red hair. Victoria also dignified the cover of the NY Post with famed Television Producer, Norman Lear, who outbid everyone to gift a millionaire friend the top charity prize of dinner with Victoria. Penthouse wanted Victoria to later transfer to their corporate office. According to their corporate attorney… when present watching Victoria arrange a real estate sale… “I don’t know why I was there. Victoria needs to be working for Penthouse on the business end.” Next in line to make her a star, The William Morris Agency came calling. In the era of celebrity posters, Victoria’s sexy shot was outsold only by Farrah Fawcett’s infamous red swimsuit poster.

Roles on the Emmy-winning Lou Grant Show and the top rated Dukes of Hazzard complimented Victoria’s earlier film appearance in the Burt Reynolds-Sally Field blockbuster, Smokey and the Bandit. After that appearance, for years, Victoria was recognized by complete strangers who repeated her line from Smokey and the Bandit…“He’s over there by the rig.” The cult classic movie fans will surely recall Victoria’s roles in Grizzly and Starship Invasion.

Arguably Victoria’s most famous film role was in Brian De Palma’s, Dressed to Kill. Victoria’s participation would have remained unknown had not lead actress Angie Dickinson proclaimed on The Tonight Show that she “had no body double.” In response to Ms. Dickinson’s claim, People Magazine featured the true story on their cover identifying Victoria as the actual owner of that undressed to thrill body. The controversy resulted in a Trivial Pursuit, Baby Boomers edition including a question as part of the game, wherein Victoria’s true role, as the body double in Dressed to Kill was referenced.

When most young actresses in LA were trying to get the paparazzi’s attention 24/7, Victoria opted to pursue her natural interest in alternative medicine. She soon graduated from Hahnemann College of Homeopathy Studies in Santa Monica, CA. Prophetically, that knowledge would serve her well at a crucial time.

Victoria was not engineered to play the Hollywood game. To the shock of her William Morris agent, she simply walked away. Straight on to the international airport runways. Tahiti, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, Bimini, South of France, Japan again, South Africa again, Canada. Wherever wanderlust took her, Victoria made friends. All over the world, her friends became part of her extended family. Victoria was the ideal Good Will Ambassador.

Victoria became a favorite with the European colony in NYC. Traveling the globe, she stayed in castles, dined in villas, found herself on the Isle of Murano, Lake Como or the Grand Canal. These locations served only as backdrops for Victoria’s sense of romance. The jet setting world entertained and courted her. But among the titled and wealthy, she cultivated many true friendships and experienced real devotion. All the while, leaving little pieces of her heart behind as she retained the many lessons she learned. She returned to America and her NYC family, who welcomed her with warmth and care… making Victoria open to new vistas. In 1988, Victoria turned in her high heels for cowboy boots. It was providence when she was invited to visit Aspen, Colorado. Amongst all that snow, Victoria found a most genuine group of friends, a new home, and a peaceful new lifestyle. While living in Aspen, Victoria became involved in the local theater arts, she advocated for nature, and participated in any philanthropic endeavor she could find. But Victoria’s life then took an unexpected turn.

In July 1998, Victoria was diagnosed with Stage IV infiltrating ductal carcinoma and metastatic disease to all major organs. With no history of breast cancer in her family, and her dedication to having regular check-ups, annual mammograms and ultrasounds, late stage cancer was certainly unexpected. As Victoria once wrote… “My life changed in that one moment.” She immediately went into action. She reached out to knowledgeable friends, and within 3 weeks, met with doctors at Sloan-Kettering, Cedar Sinai UCLA, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. In August, a mere month after being diagnosed, she moved to Texas. Upon her arrival, 8 months of chemotherapy ensued, harsh drugs, infections, antibiotics, brain tumors, radiosurgery, double craniotomy, segmental mastectomy, radiation, ultrasounds, more chemotherapy, newer drugs, complete mastectomy, miracle drugs, breast reconstructive surgery, new drugs with more chemotherapy, outliving the effectiveness of a wonder drug, 7th brain tumor confirmed, trip to Los Angeles to consult with another doctor, receiving the heartbreaking news that her Oncologist, friend and counselor, Dr. Richard Theriault was leaving MDA. But then somehow… STABILITY… until December 31, 2013. Stability is not remission. Without active disease, she still experienced recurring bouts of Lymphodema, Urticaria, worsening of Osteoporosis, SIADH (low sodium), visual field impairment and hearing loss. All such resulted from the long term cancer treatment she received. Amazingly and ironically, Victoria once referred to that time as “a good quality of life during those years.” And then a tumor intertwined with the brachial plexus area caused complete loss of use of her left hand, followed by lung damage, copious amounts of fluid flowing down the back of her throat, shortness of breath, and a large blood clot at the tip of the lung that required her to administer 2 abdominal injections to herself each day.

Victoria came close to heed her grandmother’s words – “It’s time to use the good china.” But she had no time to worry about that. She gave back. Delivering her awe-inspiring testimonial to audiences at M.D. Anderson functions, a guest appearance on CNN’s cancer special, “Taming the Beast,” as well as those programs featured on PBS Houston. Her profile story at Changing the Odds “Living with Advanced and Recurrent Breast Cancer” event, her participation in the Kimmel Scholars Symposium, along with her wide support and involvement in Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation events, she remained encouraging and always available to help. She knew her story could save lives.

And that crowning bliss of hair… fell out, grew back, fell out, wig shopping, grew back, fell out, and grew back. All taken in perfect stride.

Victoria is survived by her sister Carla Johnson of Marietta, GA, her brother Stacey Johnson of Kennesaw, GA, her niece (and namesake), Victoria Rose Waldrip, originally of Marietta, GA, nephew Jesse Alan Strub of Lake Charles, LA, niece Cassidy Johnson of Kennesaw, GA, nephew Cody Johnson of Kennesaw, GA and her beloved Aunt Elaine Avery of Mableton, GA. Additionally, Victoria is survived by her best friend, and former husband, Jim Arnold of Claxton, GA, with whom she maintained a remarkable bond, his daughter (Victoria’s “adopted daughter”) Dottie Arnold Partalis of Atlanta, GA, her husband J.B. Partalis and their young sons, J.J. and Wyatt.

Victoria was preceded in death by her parents, Carroll and Hilda Paige Johnson. Additionally, Victoria was preceded in death by her beloved Pomeranian RosieBelle. RosieBelle was with Victoria for over 18 years. She fought cancer right alongside her fearlessly.

Victoria is remembered world-wide by her beloved friends whom she always considered her family.

Victoria wanted her medical team at MD Anderson to know how much their hard work and perseverance helped her to keep the faith and keep fighting. Dr. McCutcheon, Dr. Barcenas, Dr. Ngo, Dr. Strom, Dr. Driver and Dr. Baile, and formerly with MD Anderson, Dr. Theriault.

In lieu of flowers, Victoria would be honored if donations would be made to Kennesaw Memorial Park to be used toward the purchase of a Bronze grave marker to match Victoria’s parents’ grave markers.

Visitation for Victoria Lynn Johnson will be on Friday, March 29, 2019 from 4-7pm at West Cobb Funeral Home, 2480 Macland Road, Marietta, Georgia 30064. Telephone: 770.419.9234. Victoria’s funeral will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2:00pm, also at West Cobb Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park, 1306 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, Georgia 30064. Telephone: 770.428.0502