Dona Mae Caughron Johnson

After graduating from Draughon Business University, Dona moved to San Diego CA where she met and married Julius (John) E. Johnson. They were married for 61 years and raised three daughters, Julie, Kathryn and Jan, in San Diego.

A loving and devoted wife and mother, Dona juggled work and family responsibilities with amazing ease. She was a Human Resources representative for Electro Instruments and Honeywell San Diego until she retired in 1985. Her colleagues sought her advice and assistance for many years.

After retirement, Dona and John traveled around the country visiting friends and family and seeing new sites. They bought a mountain retreat they named "The Place," where wonderful family memories were made. Dona was a very creative person. When she wasn't working or traveling, she painted beautiful watercolors and wrote poems of encouragement, congratulations, and celebration of special occasions for her family.

Dona's greatest love was her family, who made her feel complete and content, just as she did for them. She always had a smile, a positive outlook, and words of encouragement - "You can do it, you can do it, you can, you can!" She found the good in everything and everyone. Even as Alzheimer's disease stole most of her memories, all was right in her world when she was with her family. She will be missed by all who were touched by her gentle, nurturing and compassionate nature; and her love will live on in everyone who knew her.

Dona was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband; five sisters: Reathel Caughron; Jewell Caughron; Willie Richardson, Ruth Dodson, Grace Anderson, and her brother Joe Caughron. Dona is survived by her devoted daughters Julie Hardie, Kathryn Dunlavey, and Jan Pugliese; four grandchildren Jeff Hardie, Brian Hardie, Sara Cregan and Maria Pugliese, who think "she was the best Grandma ever, " two great-grandchildren, Rose and Molly Cregan; her sister Luella Baker; nieces Jeanne Legge and SuzanneBecher; and a nephew, Jim Anderson.

A memorial service and placing of ashes was held at El Camino Memorial Park Mortuary, Sorrent Valley Chapel, on Friday, March 18, 2016. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial, 2305 Historic Decatur Rd. Ste 100 San Diego Ca 92106 or the Elizabeth Hospice Foundation, 500 La Terraza Blvd., Suite 130 Escondido Ca 92025.