Lela Johnson

Lela Johnson, age 86, of Plainwell passed away on September 22, 2025, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. She was born in Shelbyville, IL on June 28, 1939, to the late Cliff and Lelah (Cox) Tate.

Lela graduated from Mt. Clemens High School in 1957. She held many secretarial positions at Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home and Plainwell Public Safety.

She loved to knit and crochet which included countless baby blankets and lap blankets to take to the local nursing home for new admissions. Lela loved to watch sports of any kind. She was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Lela was a member of the Parchment United Methodist Church.

Lela is survived by her daughter Margaret (Dennis) Stratton and her son Ronnie (Carla) Johnson; her grandchildren: Heather (Joshua) Peruski, Meredith (Patrick) King, Amanda (Chris) Reynolds, Robbie Johnson, and Rory (Destiny) Johnson. Also surviving are her great grandchildren: Raquel, Alexis, Spencer, Madison, Allie, Benjamin, Delilah, Jordyn, Michael, Nolan, Rayden and Royce; her sister Nikki Israels, brother Cliff (Liz) Tate and sister-in-law Linda (Terry) Richards as well as many nieces and nephews and a special caretaker Libby Dendel.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Bill Tate and a great granddaughter, Harper Marie.

She will be missed by many, many close friends where she lived and in her church community.

Following her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers make donations to Rose Arbor or Parchment United Methodist Church.

While visiting Lela’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).