Paula joined First Christian Church in Manzanola. She always told Ed he could not retire until he worked as long as she did, so it looks like Ed has another few years to go as she will be watching! Paula worked with Ed until the last episode she had in the hospital. When Ed and his business partner, Bonnie Crockett opened their own CPA firm, Paula was the office manager at the La Junta and as usual Ed’s Boss. Paula also worked for Big R and Rocky Ford Radio Station. Paula and family moved to La Junta in October of 2006. Many weekends were spent coming and going to Manzanola to help parents and in-laws. Paula became Town Clerk of Manzanola until the family moved to Lamar. Jason, who shares his birthday with Danette, and Chauna were born due to their union. She met Ed Stover, the love of her life, in June of 1979 and they married March 8th, 1980. Paula, Damon, and Danette moved to Colorado around 1978. She also had stories of community water dipper and having to use the outhouse as there was no running water or bathroom inside the house. Paula enjoyed telling stories of Grandma Johnson stoking fires while she slept in a feather bed. She met and became dear friends to Gordon and Judy Hayden, who years later moved to Colorado to be near her. While in California she was part owner and operator of a paint and body shop. Paula moved to California where her first two children, Damon and Danette were born. Paula loved the country and farm life and would often spend summers with her Grandpa and Grandma Johnson in Manzanola. Paula lived in Manzanola for the first few years of her life before moving to Denver where she would graduate High School. She leaves her family and friends with saddened hearts but with great anticipation of when we will meet again. She told her family she was tired and ready to go home to start her new chapter. Paula always had a knack of doing things her own way which was clearly evident as she passed away on December 7th, 2021 at the Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care unit in Penrose Hospital. Paula was the oldest of three girls, sister to Peggy and Patsy.
Paula Jeanette Johnson was born December 14th, 1947 in La Junta, Colorado to Howard and Freda Johnson.