Johnnie Mae Warnick
June 24th, 1929 – January 18th, 2023
Johnnie Mae Warnick was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother during her incredible 93 years of life. She passed away peacefully at her home in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 18th, 2023.
Johnnie Mae had a long and full life. She was born on June 24th, 1929, in Los Angeles, California, to Benjamin Franklin George and Mildred Blanch Sperry. Johnnie Mae’s parents would eventually separate and her mother remarried. Johnnie Mae’s stepfather was an army corp of engineer that worked many different places during Johnnie Mae’s childhood, and one of those places was Hawaii.
Johnnie Mae was a proud and humble Pearl Harbor survivor. She was just 12 years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. She told us that she was fortunate to have been so big for her age because her stepfather was able to disguise her as a medical nurse and get her out on one of the ships. Later in life she was asked several times to have her story published in books and magazines but she never wanted any monetary gains from such a horrible and devastating tragedy. Thats just who Johnnie Mae was an amazing, independent, strong and humble woman.
Johnnie Mae was in Utah when she met a Navy fellow named Charles Warnick. Charles asked Johnnie Mae out on a date, but stood her up later that evening to go shoot pool with the boys instead!!! Johnnie Mae ended up going out with Charlie’s cousin that night just to get back at him. Charlie knew he screwed up and begged and pleaded for another chance with Johnnie Mae and she finally gave in. Well It was Chuck and Johnnie from that moment on! They married in 1946 and would eventually move to Yuma, AZ where Johnnie Mae’s father and stepmother lived on a farm! Charles and Johnnie would go on to buy their first and forever home on 6th Ave here in Yuma. Charlie and Johnnie Mae were married for a wonderful 70 years.
Johnnie Mae was the life of the party. She could and would spark up conversations with complete strangers in the middle of the grocery store, and if they had kids. Well you better expect that you were going to be there while! She absolutely loved and adored children in general and she definitely showed her grandchildren and great grandchildren lots of love throughout her years.
Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Grant Warnick; son-in-law Richard A. Baker; and granddaughter-in-law Lorilei Dorries. She is survived by her three daughters: Claudia Baker, of Yuma; Christina Maxwell (her husband Robert), of Sun City; and Vicki George, of Yuma. She leaves behind her seven grandchildren: Karen Sill (and husband, Jimmy), John Dorries, Kimberly Taylor (and husband Matt), Matthew Dorries (and wife Annette), Tracy McAdoo (and husband Jim), Joshua Welch (and wife Sarah) and Brandy Hehe (and husband Chris); and seventeen great-grandchildren: Shayne (and wife Maria), Kaylee, Shelby, Kyler, Dallas (and wife Sonia), Bradley, Dylan, Madison, Griffin, Paige, David, Aria, Shaye, Chandler, Riot, Sylas and Jayce; along with 3 great-great-grandchildren: Ayden, Sofia and Peyton.
Johnnie Mae will be deeply missed and will live forever in our hearts. Chuck and Johnnie are now reunited and will most definitely be watching over us to ensure that we wash our hands before we eat and that we all get home before dark!
Services for Johnnie Mae Warnick will be held at Desert Lawn Mortuary on Wednesday, February 1st 2023 at 1pm. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. A private gathering for family will follow immediately. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun
Published by Yuma Sun on Jan. 29, 2023.
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