Nellie Faye (Brehm) Johnson

When reflecting on the life of Nellie Faye Johnson, it is easy to see that there was no greater focus in her life than her family. She found her purpose like many of the generation going through the Depression called: “Making Do”. . She faced times of trial, but her strength and courage were truly inspiring to all who were near. Life will never be the same without Faye here, but she leaves behind a legacy that her loved ones will remember. Faye (as she was called) was born to Edison and Marie Brehm as Nellie Faye on January 19, 1926, in Springton, West Virginia. She was the second of eight children born to her parents. She and her siblings were raised in the coal camps provided by the mining companies of that era. As a teen, Faye moved with her parents to Kentucky, and it was there that she accepted the Lord and was baptized in the Big Sandy River. After high school graduation she attended Miller School of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio. While she was there, she stayed in a boarding house called Anna Louise Inn at Lytle Park. Pictures and a hand written address book give testimony to a wide array of friends she made there. After graduating in 1945, Faye took a job as a secretary Cincinnati. Not to be forgotten during her younger years was Faye’s introduction to the man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Onsby Johnson, and they met because she was a close friend with his sister, Emma Johnson. Faye and Onsby were married in 1946. Together they welcomed three girls including Judith Ann, Peggy Jane, and Karen Sue into their hearts and home. As a mother, Faye made sure her girls went to church every week. In the summer, she encouraged her girls to attend VBS and church camp. Because Faye could not drive until she was much older, she depended on others to transport her children to church. With faith as a cornerstone in her own life, it was vitally important that the love of God was presented to her girls. Always eager to share her faith, Faye taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Her greatest gift was that her children became Christians at an early age and she desired them to marry Christian men. Faye insisted that each of her girls go to college, and it was one of her most special days when each of her girls became a college graduate. Her creativity and artfulness was expressed in home sewing She was an accomplished seamstress who made beautiful dresses for her girls. There were special holiday dresses, dresses for piano recitals, and new school dresses every year. She made matching dresses for her girl’s dolls In addition, Faye used her gifts and talents as a seamstress to pay for a correspondence course to learn to become a dental assistant. For years she cared for her mother in her home in Kentucky, and in 1978 they moved to Fort Wayne. Faye worked as an administrative assistant at Blacklake Lodge, as a seamstress at Weiland Furniture, and in retail for Blackwell’s in New Haven. During her early years of living in Fort Wayne, Faye was able to travel and saw some of the most amazing places. She went to the Bahamas with her sisters, to Jamaica with her daughter Judy and family several times, and she even traveled with her mother to Israel as well. In addition, Faye went to Spain with her sister, to Washington State to see her daughter Karen and her family, and to Florida for the winter with Peggy and her family as well as to Canada on a fishing trip where she caught a huge small mouth bass! In 2004, she moved in with her daughter Peggy and her family after suffering a mild stroke. Faye continued visiting Karen and Judy in their homes and continued living with Peggy and her family until February of 2014. She was generous and always made sure her six grandchildren had birthday and Christmas cards complete with checks in the mail. Later on, her seven great grandchildren were also lucky recipients of her generosity. Faye’s final years were spent at Ashton Creek Nursing Home where she moved February 10, 2014. This wasn’t always easy for her, because she missed her freedom as well as her home and all her special things. Faye never really wanted to “settle in” to her new environment, but she found joy in her family and friends. It was difficult for her to concentrate on reading when she was there so she often just sat in her wheelchair and passed the time. She did love watching birds at the bird feeder, but Faye also looked forward to visits outside of the nursing home. Even in her final days at the nursing home, Faye insisted on still having the newspaper delivered to her even when she could only read the headlines doing her best to read what she could. Among the residents and staff, Faye was known as “Miss America.” She delighted in any compliment about how she looked. All throughout her life she had a sense of style and being fashionable never left her. Her daughters joked: “how many black skirts does a person need?” But she could explain it. Once wheel chair bound and mostly unable to move she never ceased with her skin care. All who knew Nellie Faye Johnson would agree that she was a sweet woman to know. Faye would never turn down a hug from anyone. She will be missed and never forgotten. Nellie Faye Johnson died on April 24, 2017.Faye’s family includes her three daughters: Judith (Michael) Livingston of Moorpark, California, Peggy (Richard) Nesseth of Fort Wayne and Karen Johnson of Senoia, Georgia; grandchildren Heather (Jay) Baker of McKinney, Texas, Holly (Joe) VanVoorhis of Carrollton, Texas, David (Danelle) Nesseth of Fort Wayne, Molly (Scott) Copeland of Orlando, Florida, Noah (Jenny) Riley of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and Nathan (Dezaray) Riley of Senoia, Georgia; great-grandchildren Katlyn Baker, Bethany Baker, Nathan Baker, Savannah Nesseth, Evangeline Copeland, Skye Copeland and Jackson Riley. Funeral services will be held May 6th at 3:00 at Pinnington Funeral and Cremation Services 502 North Main Street, Auburn. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 at the funeral home. Son in law Rev. G. Michael Livingston will be officiating. A graveside service will be held in Huntertown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Joni and Friends at www.joniandfriends.org. The family requests that you designate “Wheels For The World” on the memorial.