"I will be your God throughout your lifetime—

until your hair is white with age.

I made you, and I will care for you.

I will carry you along and save you."

Isaiah 46:4 (NLT)

Dorothy Lorraine Johnson , 76, affectionately known as, Dot, "Doll Baby", "Baby Doll", "Dottie", "Miss Dot" and "Dippy", answered Jesus' call to join Him in His heavenly home on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Dot was born in Daleville (Botetourt County), Virginia on May 30, 1948, to the Late John Robert Johnson and Westena Baker Johnson. In addition to her parents, Dot is preceded in death by her brother, Frederick Baker; sister, Hattie Louise Johnson Williams; brother, Douglas Wayne Johnson; uncles, Clarence, Walter, Howard, and Thurston Jr. Johnson; aunt, Emma Cary Clark; sisters-in-law, Blanche Johnson and Roberta Johnson and brother-in-law, William S. Lewis, Jr.

Dot was educated in the Botetourt County school system, graduating from Central Academy, in Fincastle, Virginia. Doll Baby would always greet you with a warm beautiful smile and she never met a stranger! Her laugh was contagious and you always knew what she was thinking by her many eye expressions! God gave Dot the spiritual gifts of compassion and helping others. Dot utilized her gifts to bless others through food service. After high school, Dot began her long and fulfilling career, beginning with waitressing at Howard Johnson's Restaurant. During this time, Dot formed lasting friendships for life. Over the years, Dot continued her work in the food industry working for Western Sizzlin, Sheetz, and Hardee's. In total, Dot happily spent more than 56 years in the food service industry.

At an early age, Doll Baby accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was a member of the former First Baptist Church, Coverdale, Virginia, the now, Spirit of Unity Baptist Church. It is no surprise that Dot was once honored as Cloverdale's Outstanding Woman of the Year!  For many, many, years, Dot has served as the Leader of The Kitchen Ministry, where she joyfully prepared and served countless worship service event meals and funeral repass luncheons. Dot knew her stuff when it came to anything "kitchen and food", always serving others with grace, humility, and perfection! We know that if there were a kitchen in heaven, Dot would be there and ready to serve! Dot also earned her CNA license and devoted 6 years to providing compassionate care for the elderly with dignity and loving-kindness.

Dot will be remembered as hard-working, giving, loyal to her friends, and willing to help others even when she sacrificed her own health. Saying "No" was not in Dot's vocabulary! However, saying "Talk to the Hand" and "Don't get it twisted" were! Doll Baby was filled with humor and happiness and always made you feel better just by being in her presence! A few of her favorite sayings were, "Have you ever?", "I have never!", and "What in tarnation?"!

Doll Baby loved life and lived it to the fullest! She most cherished traveling and vacationing with her brothers and sisters, both near and far. She was a longtime fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Aside from helping others, Dot filled her days with looking for a bargain! Any bargain! Whether she needed it or not! From furniture, clothing, shoes, purses, and jewelry, to household items. And of course, looking for food and meats on sale! She spent her summers visiting yard sales and her beloved Habitat Store! Dot also had a hobby that many may not have known about… walking. Dot walked 2 miles each day, until recently as her health began to fail. Dot enjoyed early morning walks admiring nature and greeting neighbors, along the way. She most enjoyed it when Dareen was able to join her! But there was no greater, self-fulfilling hobby than cooking!

Dot was a wonderful sister, aunt, cousin, friend mother, and grandmother. Those left to cherish and rejoice her beautiful memory are, son, Dareen Eric Johnson, Roanoke, VA; grandchildren, Trey, Tiara, Ashad, DeMauri, Roanoke, VA, Chelsea, Atlanta, GA; four brothers, Robert L. Johnson, Sr. Baltimore, MD; John Richard Johnson, Barre VT; Jerry W. Johnson (Mary), Salem, VA; David Eugene (Margaret Ann), Daleville, VA; two sisters: Shirley J. Lewis; Cora J. Tucker (JD), both of Roanoke, VA; brother-in-law, DeDay Williams, Ooltewah, TN; sister-in-law, Olive Johnson, Daleville VA; special cousins, Elenor Lewis and Milton Clark, dear longtime friends, Nancy Pullen, Lonnie Mae Thomas, Janie Johnson, Eva "Boo Boo" Blackwell, Peggy Fleming, Jean Clemens, Penny Ollie, Gloria Crump, Samuel Clay, Esther Sullivan, Deacon Alvin and Rev. Patricia Smith;, like daughters, Monica Slade and Erica Rosser; devoted caregiver and niece, Vareni L. Shears; special nieces, Deirdre T. Penn, Kim T. Preston, Sonja Parker, Leslee Tucker Moore, Valerie Lewis-Morris M.D; loyal and loving furry friend, "Barnabas"; and numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, family and co-workers.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Spirit of Unity Baptist Church beginning at 12 p.m. with a Visitation to be held one hour prior. Interment will directly follow the service at C.C. Williams Memorial Park.

The family wishes to acknowledge with gratitude, special healthcare providers: Donald Vile M.D, Dewey Bailey M.D, Kelsey Norris D.O, Tamela Meador, MSN NP-C and Christie Stewart M.D, Buck Simmons, and the staff of Valley Funeral Home and the staff of Willams Memorial Park.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares The LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)