Edna Marcia Johnson South

Edna J. South
Edna Marcia Johnson South passed away peacefully at Sunshine Terrace on October 24, 2008, two days shy of her husband Raleigh’s birthday. Edna looked forward to reuniting with him and other family members.
Edna was born on September 26, 1919, in Logan, Utah, to Leo Wilford and Maren Marie (Fonnesbeck) Johnson. She grew up and attended Logan City Schools. Some of her fondest memories growing up were of her family camping and fishing in Logan Canyon and working at the family service station and root beer stand. Music and art were special interests. She attended Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught school in Logan at Ellis Elementary, and in Benson and Farmington.
At a dance at the Dansante Center in 1945 (now the location of the Festival Opera), Edna met her sweetheart of 56 years, Raleigh S. South of Logan who had just returned from serving in World War II. They dated for three years and were married in Logan on June 11, 1949. Edna and Raleigh moved to Vallejo, California in 1953 where they both taught elementary school. Edna taught for five years before retiring to support Raleigh in his added responsibilities as an elementary school principal. They loved living in California and shared many good times with their family and many friends who lived there.
Due to Edna’s failing health, they returned to Logan in April of 2004. Raleigh was a very devoted husband to Edna and spent most of his time lovingly caring for her until his passing in 2005. He loved to take red roses and Bluebird chocolates to her and made it a point to give her at least 50 kisses per day. The tradition of Bluebird chocolates was continued by Raleigh’s sister Caroleen Waite. Her nieces and nephew (Charlotte Nelson and Leo and Susan Ericksen) continued Raleigh’s loving care and support. Edna’s trademark red hat and interesting conversations will be missed.
Edna is survived by a brother-in-law, D. A. South of Salt Lake City; a sister-in-law, Caroleen (Milt) Waite of Florence, Oregon; a brother-in-law, Herb Newey of Lafayette, California; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings Gordon, Elma (Ren) Hansen, Leola (Durell) Ericksen, and Laura Newey.
The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Duke and the staff at Sunshine Terrace for the excellent care they provided for Edna.
We will really miss you, Edna. We know Raleigh is anxiously waiting for you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives. We learned much from you about the importance of family relationships and to appreciate the simple things in life.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan. A viewing will be held prior to services from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net