Name of father Elmer J. Simkins

Maiden name of mother Verda Myrtla Ray

1920 OR CENSUS - Priscilla Simkins, age 3 yr 5 mos, b. Oregon, is enumerated with her father, Elmer, age 23, widowed, b, Oregon, and her brother Stanley, age 1 yr, b. Oregon, in the home of her grandmother, Belle Simkins, age 48, widowed, b. Iowa, along with her fathers siblings, Arlington E., age 29, Haxel, age 23, Reva, age 17, Margaret, age 15, Beatrice, age 10, and Pauline, age 7, all born in Oregon.

1930 OR CENSUS - Priscilla Simkins, age 13, b. Oregon, is enumerated with father, Elmer J., age 33, occupation, sawmill watchman, b. Oregon, and his wife Mildred, age 38, b. Oregon.

1st MARRIAGE - Alfred C. Gorman, circa 1936

1940 OR CENSUS - Priscilla Gorman, age 23, b. Oregon, is enumerated with husband Alfred C., age 24, occupation millwright, b. New York, along with son Jack, age 3, b. Oregon.

2nd MARRIAGE - Jack Johnson, 1947

SALEM - In her high school yearbook, Priscilla wrote as her favorite quote: "sing, drink and be merry, for tomorrow I'll probably die", a motto that enriched all 95 years of her fulfilled, cherished, and adventurous life. 
Whether you called her Mom, Grandma or Priscilla, she was wonderful, intelligent, and the go-to woman for advice and inspiration. Never down despite hardships in life, her resilient spirit served her well, keeping her spry and fit until her last days. As God always blesses His favorites, she passed away in her sleep surrounded by family, with Grandpa waiting so they could fish and hunt forever in the Great Beyond. She is loved and remembered by all; truly the core of our family.
Priscilla was born July 28th 1916, at home on her grandparents' farmstead in Hopewell, Oregon, located near the home of her great-great-grandfather George Gay, one of Oregon's founding fathers. Her love of school gave her the determination to walk miles to school everyday until she graduated from Salem High and then attended Business College. She worked as a secretary for the State, then building airplanes and parts during WWII, and she eventually retired with the Salem School District.
Priscilla was an avid genealogist and took delight in her family tree, tracing her lineage all the way back to 1796. Despite being teased about it as a youngster, time made her proud of her Kalapuya Indian heritage, and she loved compiling profiles of past family member's lives. 
Being a member of the Knight Memorial Congregational Church allowed her to share her incredibly beautiful Alto by singing in the choir for several years. In fact, one could say that singing was her first love, and she fondly remembered her days as a singer at Davy Jones' Locker in Salem, Oregon. She made her first dollars winning numerous amateur singing competitions, and some weeks she even earned more than her father. Singing is in the family blood, as she was also quite proud of her cousin, Johnnie Ray, a well-known singer, famous in the 1950's and '60's for songs such as "The Little White Cloud that Cried." Active in the American Legion Auxiliary #136, she served as Unit President and District 2 President. 
Priscilla enjoyed her family, cooking, knitting, reading and gardening. She was known for her beautiful flowers and for the yummy food prepared from their garden. 
Priscilla is survived by her sons: Jack L. Gorman, Hillsboro and Joel S. Johnson, Sherwood; nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband Jack L. Johnson (2009) to whom she was married for 62 joy-filled years, and her son Dennis G. Gorman (1995).
Contributions: Willamette Valley Hospice, Signature Hospice or American Legion Auxiliary. 
Arrangements are made by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service and City View Cemetery.
A Graveside service will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem at 11am. A reception will immediately follow at the City View Cemetery Reception Room located across the street.
Please come help us "sing, drink and be merry" by celebrating Priscilla's life.

Statesman Journal 30 Oct 2011
 

Priscilla L Johnson

1916-2011

[shares marker with Jack L Johnson]

Authorization for Burial

1920 OR CENSUS (Polk Co., Spring Valley, ED 365, sheet 1A)

1930 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., Salem, ED 24-61, sheet 5B)

1940 OR CENSUS (Columbia Co., St. Helens, ED -8, sheet 10)

SJ 30 Oct 2011