Juanita Mae "Johnnie" Young, 83, formerly of Yuma, Arizona, passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at Regent Care Center of El Paso, TX. She was born on August 23, 1930, in Pawnee City, NE, to Juanita (Vinsant) and Ben R. Henry. Johnnie was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Gilbert "Gib" Young; son Kenneth R. Young; her sister Thelma "Wimpy" Staley (Merle); and her parents.Johnnie graduated Pawnee City High School in 1948, then attended Doane College in Crete, NE, from which she received a teaching certificate. In the summer of 1948 the family moved to Paola, KS. There she met Gib, the love of her life, whom she married in Paola on November 23, 1951.Johnnie taught at many schools throughout her years; when asked, she'd merrily say she always preferred the younger students. As the wife of an Air Force First Sergeant, Johnnie "served" in Guam, Missouri, Alaska, Kansas, Hawaii, and South Carolina, where Gib retired late 1970. After the family moved to Yuma in 1974, Johnnie became a field representative for the Census Bureau, retiring first in 1992. She later became a volunteer, both for Hospice of Yuma and also as an assistant to a blind county attorney, until about 2007, when she finally retired completely. In September 2012, declining health and the death of her best friend brought about her move to El Paso, nearer her daughter Linda, and where she became a welcome part of the Cambria Assisted Living community.Johnnie is survived by three children: Linda "Sami" Greffenius (James) of El Paso; Bryan (Teresa) of Tucson, AZ; and Connie Jo Davis (A. James) of Las Vegas, NV; brother Dr. Leonard "Ben" Henry (Carol) of Spearfish, S.D.; sister Elinor "Pete/Miss Nancy" Stilwell (John) of Kissimmee, FL; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and extended family. Johnnie's ready smile, sense of humor, kindness, and gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew her.Per Johnnie's request, there will be no services.Memorial donations can be made to the or to DAV (Disabled American Veterans).Please sign the guestbook at obits.yumasun.com/obituaries/yumasun.