Johnnie Rae Phipps

1928 - 2013

Johnnie Rae Phipps, 84, a former long-time resident of Hanford, passed away from this life and into heaven on Sunday, June 9th 2013 from natural causes.
Johnnie was born in Leedey, Oklahoma on August 28, 1928 to Cleo and Margurite Keller. She later married the love of her life Bill Phipps on October 13, 1946. Together they raised two daughters and one son in Hanford, CA.
Along with her husband, they owned and operated Phipps TV in downtown Hanford as well as Continental Cablevision. They additionally owned two other cable TV franchises. After raising their children in Hanford, they moved to Pine Mountain Lake in Groveland, CA. Together they traveled the world by plane and explored the United States by driving their fifth wheel. Often times, they took their grandkids along with them for weeks at a time exploring most of the western United States.
Johnnie's kids and grandkids as well as her great-grandkids were the light of her life. She was always surrounded by one of the family members. Holidays were especially important to her. The whole family would come and stay with her to celebrate Thanksgiving and especially Christmas. The whole house would be filled and she would be surrounded by those who loved her.
To others, Johnnie's first love was GOLF! Her and Bill played every chance they got. She joined many different groups to keep busy. She played in a weekly bridge group and played golf as long as she could. She also loved to read "who done it" murder mystery books whenever possible.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill and her parents, Cleo and Margurite Keller. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Sharon and Bob Lathrop of San Jose; Lynn and Mike Craft of Hanford; as well as her son and daughter-in-law Richard and Laura Phipps of Morgan Hill. She will be sorely missed by her six grandchildren Teina and Chris Henderson of Gilroy; Karen and Paul Yehl of Hanford; Robert and Linda Lathrop of Santa Clara; Nichole Phipps of San Francisco; Sara and Robert Mendez of Bakersfield, and Tony Craft. Her ten great-grandchildren loved her dearly: Ryne Willson, Ashlyn Willson, Kelly Houston, Sharlee Yehl, Craig Houston, Tawny Yehl, Aydin Mendez, Blake Mendez, baby Mary Lathrop, and Briley Craft. She will also be remembered by her sister Lois Juanita Holt of Fresno. In addition, she will also be missed by all of her various nieces and nephews as well as all of the friends she has made along her life journey.
Funeral services will be at 11 am Saturday June 15, 2013 at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, CA 95326. Immediately before the service, there will be viewing beginning at 9 am. Graveside side services and reception will follow. Family and friends are invited to attend the celebration of Johnnie's life.