Johnnie Lee Salmon

Johnnie Lee Salmon, 95, Altus, passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 at her home with her family by her side. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018 at Kincannon Funeral Home with Dr. Jeff Moore and Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Burial will follow services at the Restlawn Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Johnnie Lee Atkins was born November 30, 1923 in Blair, Oklahoma to Sam and Ruth (Rogers) Atkins. She grew up in Blair and was baptized in the Blair First Baptist Church in 1937. Johnnie graduated from Blair High School with the Class of 1941. She started working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Altus in 1942 and married Leon A. Salmon April 26, 1947 in Vernon, Texas. To this union two children were born. Johnnie was very active and involved in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 41 years, having held all their offices and being voted Women of the Year twice, and Valentine Queen twice by her sorority sisters. She volunteered at Jackson County Memorial Hospital as a "Pink Lady" for many years and in 1987 was voted as a "Living Legend" by KWHW and the Museum of the Western Prairie. Johnnie retired from Southwestern Bell in 1978 as the Manager of Operator Services, having worked there 36 years, she connected the first in dial office and the last call when the office closed. She was currently a member of the Altus First Baptist Church; enjoyed watching her family in stock car racing, shopping, playing games, watching her grandchildren in sports, spending time with her family and was an avid Oklahoma University Football fan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Ruth Atkins; her husband, Leon; a daughter, Jean Salmon Eiler; three brothers, J.D. and Jack Atkins and Jimmy Phillips; and two sisters, Doris Aldridge and Ruby Walsh.
Johnnie is survived by her son, Mike Salmon and wife, Linda; six grandchildren, Tom Burden, Bob Burden, Dennis Hansford, Michael Salmon Jr and wife, Halee, Melissa Salmon and Matthew Salmon; twelve great grandchildren, Kelly Donelson, Toni Dewitt, Tasha Stessler, Trey Hansford, Tylon Hansford, Kindsay Elgin, T. D. Burden, Myles Burden, Madison Mitchell, Tucker Mitchell, Racyn Salmon and Macie Hawkins; seven great great grandchildren; long time friend and playmate, her dachshund, Rascal; special niece, Jackie Shetter and her children; special friends, Wilene Barnes, Rick and Claudette Ellenburg and many other friends.
The Salmon family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.