Cindy was born in Ronceverte, WV to William and Nellie Simms. She grew up in Lewisburg, WV on a dairy farm. She graduated from Greenbrier East High School and attended Fairmont State University.
She married Jerry Johnson in 1976 in Covington, VA, on New Year’s Eve. They would have been married 50 years at the end of this year. The first day of the new year they moved to Michigan to the Detroit area, in Mt. Clemens, then to Sterling Heights where they currently reside. Their four children were all born in Mount Clemens. She devoted herself to raising her family there, returning with the kids and the dogs to spend every summer on the farm where she grew up in Lewisburg, WV.
When the kids started school, Cindy began working at Sterling Elementary (later named Browning Elementary) as a lunch aide, and eventually became a teacher’s aide in a classroom for special needs children. She loved working with the children and “Mrs. Cindy” was a beloved figure in the school, teaching countless children to say “help” and “thank you” with a West Virginia accent. In the evenings she would take long walks with friends and the dog. She loved to read, and watch crime shows and comedies, and go out for coffee, and brunch. She divided her time between visiting her kids and grandkids living locally and in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and visiting cousins, aunts and uncles in West Virginia. In 2022, she retired to dedicate her time to helping to care for her youngest grandchild, Liam. The joy they brought to each other was incredibly special. Unfortunately, she was unable to meet her last grandson, who is expected to join us in November. We know she will be watching over him.
She loved driving passenger vans and only agreed to drive a smaller car when she found one that could fit at least seven people. She wanted to be able to see from a high vantage point and wanted the ability to bring her whole family with her anywhere she went.
Cindy faced any challenge with bravery and humility. She dreaded driving on the freeway but found a way to make the long drive to West Virginia when Jerry couldn’t get away from work. She was a dedicated and loyal friend, mother and wife. She brought joy and comfort to all whom she encountered. She had a heart for others above herself. She went through a year of extremely difficult treatments and tests, hospital stays and emergency room visits,and she did it without complaining, and despite everything she was experiencing was gracious and smiling to nurses, aides, orderlies and technicians.
Cindy is survived by her husband Jerry, children Geoff, Chad, Brett, and Ashleigh, grandchildren Miles, Micah, Addie, Norah, Kaya, and Liam, sister Dawn, dog Murphy and cat Freddie.
Visitation for Cindy will take place on Sept. 10, from 2 until 8 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blks east of VanDyke), Utica, Michigan. Visitation for Cindy will also take place on Sunday Sept. 13, from 2 p.m. until her Funeral Service at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 373 Pocahontas Ave, Ronceverte, WV. Cindy will be laid to rest at Greenbrier Memorial gardens, 176 Deerfield Road, Lewisburg, WV.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
