Gail Johnson

Gail T. Johnson NORFOLK - My mother, Gail Turner Johnson, passed away Oct. 21, 2008, after a 2-year battle with cancer. She was 69. Born in Vicksburg, Miss., she moved to Norfolk as a young child. She was predeceased by her parents, Paul Edward and Estelle Turner, and her brother, Paul Edward Turner Jr. Left to cherish her memory are my father, George H. Johnson of Norfolk, to whom she was married from 1958 to 2004; her daughter, Sheryl Fletcher of Chesapeake; her son, James Justin Johnson and wife Gail of Norfolk; two granddaughters, Kendall Gail Johnson and Karoline Dawn Johnson of Norfolk; her sister and brother-in-law, June Dawn and Richard Reynolds of Chesapeake; her brother-in-law, Andrew Johnson of Norfolk; and her trusted, best friend of 32 years, Bobby Robbins of Norfolk, who provided the utmost loving care during her illness. Gail graduated from Granby High School, married, and later became a stay-at-home mom. Long before there were "Soccer Moms" and "Hockey Moms," there were "Surfer Moms!" This Surfer Mom was always there for her children, every step of the way, encouraging them to listen to the beat of their own drummers. She enjoyed the music of Sarah Brightman, working in her beautiful yard, creating crafts for friends, cooking for others and decorating for the Christmas holiday. She never met a stranger, enjoyed people, and loved to talk and have fun. She loved the beach and was an avid tennis player for 20 years at several of the Hampton Roads' racquet clubs. She also enjoyed golf. Generous and giving, she spent many years providing care for ailing family members. She had a love for animals, especially her dog Brightman, and the wildlife that inhabited her yard. Many minor surgeries were done on ducks and geese, and she always paid special attention to those of the flock who were weak. The family wishes to thank Virginia Oncology, Dr. Robert Squatrito and staff, especially, Jan, Mel, Jolene and Renee, for your care, support and friendship. Thanks also to the 2nd Floor Warriors - may you continue to fight and win the battle. Special thanks to the Steel Magnolias for your lifelong friendship, support and prayers. Thank you, Lafayette Presbyterian Church, for your cards and prayers. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Chapel, 8464 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private burial will follow the service. Friends may sign the guest register book at www.hollomon-brown.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, P.O. Box 70938, Richmond VA 23255. Mamma, we will always love you and miss you, and you will continue to live in our hearts. You lived your life on your own terms, and many described you as a "pistol" and a "real character." That you were, and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Here's to those sunny days at the Steel Pier and the jetties of Sarah Constant Shrine. By Sheryl "Shay" Fletcher, daughter.