On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Linda Britts Johnson passed away at the age of 79, surrounded by her family.
Linda was born on April 23, 1945 to E.C. Britts and Florence Huffman Britts Gordon. She grew up in New Castle, and the family later moved to Vinton, where she attended Lord Botetourt High School. On November 22, 1961, she married James “Jay” Hammond Johnson, III in Roanoke, VA. Jay said she was the most “ beautiful girl in the world.” Together they raised three children: Catherine Yvette, Patrick Scott, and Clint Andrew.
When she was younger, Linda worked at Roanoke Electric Steel Credit Union, where everyone loved her. Later, she worked for a security company delivering money to ATMs for the banks. She wore a uniform and carried a gun. Her children jokingly called her “Barney Fife”.
She was an avid sports lover, and was the pitcher on a “fast pitch” softball team, the Green Machine. While fast pitch was very hard, Linda excelled and was the best in the state. The Green Machine won the Fast Pitch State Championship in Virginia.
Later in life, Linda took up golfing, and in her competitive fashion, became VERY good at it. She was on several women’s golf teams and won many tournaments.
Linda loved her family above all else. She was married to the love of her life, Jay, for almost 63 years. You could say they grew up together. Jay always said she was an excellent cook. So much so that he took up jogging because he jokingly said he “was getting fat”! She was blessed to be a part of the Johnson family, which had always been close, and would spend all of the big holidays together in love and fellowship. She loved her children and always made sure they had whatever they needed. She gave them all the love and cuddles any child could want. She was a wonderful wife, and loving mother, Granny, and Great Granny.
She was preceded in death by her parents, E.C. and Florence; her brothers, A. Thomas Britts and Danny Britts; her sisters-in-law Lydia Johnson Wygal, Sharon Johnson, and Laurel Britts; her niece Yvonne Gillespie Bush; and nephews, Timothy Gillespie, Tommy Gillespie, Duane Britts, and Darrell Britts. She is survived by her adoring husband, Jay Johnson; her daughter Cathy Johnson; her sons, Scott Johnson and his wife, Sara; and Clint Johnson; her grandchildren Jessica Johnson Beasley (Brian), Cody James Johnson (Anastasia), Kaitlyn Renee Johnson, Emma Grace Johnson, and Patrick Scott Johnson, Jr.; and great grandchildren Nola Grace Beasley, Ava Jane Johnson, Maddox Scott Beasley, and Chloe Yvette Johnson; her sister, Charlotte Gillespie Garst; and her brothers and sisters-in-law: Van Johnson (Teresa), Kirk Johnson, Roslyn Kingery (Glenn), Kendall Johnson (Channing); and a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. Visitation will begin at 11AM and the Service will begin at 12:00 noon. Kendall Johnson will be presiding over the service.
A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at Green Hill Church of the Brethren, located at 2699 Harborwood Road in Salem.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks and gratitude to Judy and Gerry Schossow.
