Lorene Johnson

Lorene Johnson, age 79, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024. She was born to Hiram and Pearlie (Bradford) Prater on September 27, 1945 in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, where she attended Prestonsburg schools. Later in life, she worked for Taylor school system, where she was a loved and valued employee, as a cook, until she retired.

Lorene enjoyed activities like gambling and gardening. She lovingly cooked for everyone; family, friends, students and staff at the school, anyone, and she loved to go eat as much as she loved cooking for others. She had a firecracker personality and relished making people laugh. Most of all, she loved her children and grandchildren. She was always at softball games supporting her granddaughter, or taking the the grandkids to Highland Park to feed the ducks. Her spirit, warm generosity and kindness will be forever missed by all those who were lucky enough to know her.

Surviving family include her children, Jean (Todd) Stephens, Loretta Bean, John Jr.(Tammy) Johnson, Ben Johnson, Joshua (Ashley) Johnson, and Marjorie Johnson; sisters, Mary (Earl) Cole and Orbie Johnson; 27 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Lorene was preceded in death by her father and mother, Hi & Pearlie Prater; first husband, John Marvin Johnson, Sr.; ex-husband, Gerald Shanabarger; as well as 8 brothers and sisters, and 1 daughter.

A time of visitation for Lorene will be held Monday, December 30, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service and by burial at 1:00 PM.

Lorene will be laid to rest in Santa Fe Cemetery, Peru, IN 46970.