Wanda Louise Johnson

Obituary

Wanda Louise Johnson

December 10, 1937 – January 22, 2025

Wanda Louise Johnson, 87, passed away at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming on January 22, 2025. Wanda was born on December 10, 1937, in Worland, Wyoming, the fourth of six children born to Robert E. Lee and Gracie May (Smallwood) Phillips. She had two brothers, Chester and Verlin and three sisters, Bea, Joann and Christina. She spent much of her childhood at the Mexico City Café and Pool Hall, helping where needed and running the cash register. Her stepfather, Joe Dabalos, played a big role in her life, along with her mother and siblings. She attended school in Worland.

She married James Magrahan in 1956, A daughter, Shirley, was born to this union. James was tragically taken from her in an automobile accident and Wanda was left alone to care for Shirley. Her own family and her church family helped greatly at this time. She later married Cimmeron Silas Blue. This marriage added another beautiful daughter, Cheryl, to the family. Cimmeron later left Wanda, leaving her once again a single mom, now raising two daughters. Wanda took employment at Ram's Horn Café, where she served guests for over 27 years.

Wanda's life was not easy, suffering many tragedies, she still persevered. Even when her daughter, Shirley passed away from a brain tumor and her two-year-old grandson died in a fire, Wanda kept her faith in God. She worked hard and she loved hard. In 1967, she married Laurence G. Johnson. This was a love that endured the next 37 years until his passing in 2005.

Wanda received the Washakie County Homemakers "Unsung Hero" Award in 2006 for her dedication to selling poppies for the American Legion Post #44. Known fondly as "The Poppy Lady", she encouraged support of our veteran's every year by selling the small paper flowers. She began selling poppy's when she was just five years old. "If you have the money to buy a drink, you have money to help the veterans who gave you the freedoms you enjoy, so, buy a poppy!" she would often say as she solicited sales. Love of God and country were deep rooted in Wanda and she shared that love with anyone who would listen.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, James and Laurence; daughter, Shirley Louise Lincoln; grandson, Sean Michael Bower; brothers, Chester and Vernon; sisters: Beatrice May Pindell, Christina Dabalos and Joann Luce. Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Fried (Daniel Kraft) of Worland; special stepson, James Johnson of Kirksville, Missouri; grandchildren: Bobbie Ann Whetstone, Katina Hope and Korrie Jo Bruce, Melissa Blue of Worland, Anthony Blue (Kelly Williams) of Stevensville, Montana, Kimberly Ann Martin of Utah, Joshua Andreas Martin of Casper and Jacob Lee Martin of California.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel in Worland with Dr. Fred Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Memorial donations may be made to Bryant Funeral Home to assist the family with the funeral costs. Checks may be sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.