Mardell Adelee "Ginger" Johnson (Rogers) passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026 in Santa Maria, CA.
She was born on February 6, 1927 in Akron, Ohio, the eldest of 9 children to her parents, Ernest and Mabel (Tawney) Rogers. When the Great Depression hit they moved home to the farm in Roane County, West Virginia, which is where all of her best childhood stories and memories were made. It was also the place that shaped her into a very hard worker, and where she grew as a Christian woman. Known by her siblings and W.Va. family as Adelee, she adopted the name Ginger, after the famous dancer and actress of the times Ginger Rogers. Ginger was also known for her red hair which fit her fiery personality.
At the age of 12, she moved to Spencer, W.Va. to attend high school, and graduated at 16. After high school she moved back to Akron to start her working career. It was there she was briefly married and that marriage produced her first child, Mary McClelland, who preceded her in death.
In 1951 she married her husband Harold Johnson, and moved to the good weather in the Los Angeles area. They would go on to be married for over 74 years and have their two children, Dale Johnson and Teresa Johnson (Jackson). During those 74 years the two of them would have the most amazing adventures and stories to tell. Ginger was active in her church, a member of DAR, and a Girl Scout Leader. After retiring from the phone company in Culver City, CA, they moved to their heavenly oasis in Squaw Valley, CA, (the original Squaw Valley) when they developed 5 acres and lived off the land. For the past 20 years they both lived in Santa Maria, CA.where they moved to be closer to their son Dale.
Besides her loving and devoted husband, Harold, and children, Ginger leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Katrina, Meghan, Matthew, Russell, Tiffany, Lauren, Leah and Kyle, and 11 great grandchildren and 2 great- great grandchildren. Also, sisters Charlotte Dilno, Patricia Conley and a brother Carroll Rogers.
A private family memorial will follow at a later date.
