Johnnie Lee Embry

B: JULY 19, 1926
D: NOVEMBER 21, 2020

Johnnie Embry, age 94 of Lexington, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Lexington Nursing Home. Johnnie Lee Cochran was born July 19, 1926 in Merkel, Texas, the oldest of 3 daughters born to William Bryan Cochran and Bertha Mae (Thomas) Cochran.

She spent her early childhood in Lexington, before the family moved to California following work. She returned home to Oklahoma after the war and began working as a PBX operator at a hospital in Oklahoma City.

By chance one day, while visiting the canteen, she met a young service man named Jesse Embry. He was home to receive treatments, and this chance encounter led to a friendship, and eventually more. They fell in love and were married on August 4, 1946 in Purcell. Johnnie worked a variety of odd jobs throughout the years. Her number one priority and her greatest joy was her family, and together they raised four children; son Bill and daughters, Connie, Deborah and Sherry, and she was never happier than the day she became a grandma. Johnnie volunteered as Meal Sight Manager for the Lexington Senior Citizens Center for many years, and was a faithful member of the Lexington Eastern Star Lodge for more than 20 years. She was a gifted seamstress and enjoyed quilting and shared her talents with her family and friends. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, aunt and a true friend. She will be dearly missed!

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Jesse Embry; son, Bill Embry; daughter, Connie Embry; Parents, William and Bertha Cochran; sisters, Marion Cochran and Bonnie Jean McCurry and son-in-laws, Ken Bartels and Richard Cox.

Johnnie is survived by: her daughters, Deborah Bartels of Lexington and Sherry Cox of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Brother-in-law, Robert McCurry of Bennett, CO; 9 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

Private Services. Please share your love and encouragement with her family Wilson Little Funeral Home