Alice Rettie (Hedrick) Johnson, 90, of Franklin peacefully departed her earthly life on Feb. 21, 2025, at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, Virginia, surrounded by her family.
She was born May 8, 1934, in Franklin, the daughter and 14th child of Leonard and Betty Jane (Simmons) Hedrick. She was the youngest and last surviving member of her immediate family.
Mrs. Johnson attended school in Franklin.
She retired from the Pendleton County School System, in 1999, after 24 years of service. She took great pride in nourishing the students with her food and loved the kids as her own.
Being quite the accomplished baker, she loved cooking and spending time with her family. She was a fierce, feisty, compassionate woman, who loved the people she loved wholeheartedly, despite enduring a large amount of loss. Although she was dealt a lot of hurt through her life, she was always able to overcome those obstacles by pushing forward and finding joy in the little things.
On Feb. 29, 1956, she married Roscoe Johnson, who preceded her in death on Feb. 2, 2005.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory a daughter, Linda Owen (Dewey) of Elkton, Virginia; five grandchildren, Andrea Owen, Ashley Johnson (Josh) and Rachel Johnson (Monica), all of Franklin, Staci Owen (Chad) of Rockingham, Virginia, and Loren Owen (Heather) of Elkton, Virginia; seven great-grandchildren, Allie Simmons, Jaida Reel, Bryn Reel, Cole Puffenbarger, Finley Ritchie, Leah Puffenbarger, and Brooks Ritchie; and two very special and loved nieces, Vickie and Dinah.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Leonard “Bus” Hedrick (June 9, 1968) and Tommy Johnson (June 24, 2023); a son-in-law, C.T. Owen, Jr. (June 7, 2002); and 13 siblings, Fred Hedrick, Lizetta Sponaugle, Ida Belle Vandevander, William Hedrick, Cora Hedrick, Thomas Hedrick, Viola Hedrick, James Hedrick, Warren Hedrick, Rebecca Hedrick, Leonard Hedrick, Jr., Luther Hedrick, and Robert Hedrick.
The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. today at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will follow in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jerry Smith officiating. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.
Memorials may be made to any Pendleton County Rescue Squad.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
