Obituary of Rene Dawn Johnson

Rene Dawn Johnson, age 56, passed away on Tuesday, September 26th, 2017, at Hospice House in Tacoma, Washington, after a long battle with breast cancer and complications from pneumonia. Her daughter, Dawn Brown, was by her side. She was born on January 23rd, 1961 in Shreveport, Louisiana and was preceded in death by her mother, Brenda Parril Hayden and her grandparents, Joe and Gladys Parrill of Bridgeport, WV. She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Brown of Port Orchard, Washington and close cousins Nancy Gorby of Stonewood, West Virginia and Carol Swiger of Kingston, Tennessee. Rene always had a love of adventure and traveling. As a child she was able to experience Africa. As a young adult she went to Germany and worked in civil service. As an adult she drove tanker trucks cross-country. She was looking forward to moving to Washington to be closer to her daughter, Dawn, and being in the Pacific North West. Rene also had a passion for gardening. Anything she put in the ground would thrive and flourish. She knew how to plant it and how to cook it. While raising her daughter she would make special meals for special occasions that she acquired through her travels. Rene proudly served her country by enlisting in the Army in 1979 and worked on Active Duty and Reserve status till 1996. She was stationed in Fort Irwin, California, Fort Ord, California, Fort George Meade, Maryland, and US Army Reserve Command in Reading, Pennsylvania. Her duties included Patient Administration Specialist, Personnel Administrative, and Recruiting duty. In leu of a funeral Rene has requested to be added to the family cemetery near Bridgeport, WV. Rene will be missed by all of her family and friends. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories. 253-566-1008