"Well Done Good and Faithful Servant"…Surely those were the first words Jesus said to Lela on April 15, 2023 when she was called to eternal rest and peace in her heavenly home. Lela's family will always be thankful for the many years they were blessed by her unconditional love. Her goodness and faithfulness will live on.

On February 24, 1937, the world became brighter when Lela Belle Warren was born. Lela was the second daughter, born to Robert Lee and Lillian Lee Warren, in Alex, Oklahoma. Lela's older sister, Alta Lee, was there to welcome her into this world. Lela's dad, Robert, was a farmer, and when "The Great Dust Bowl" hit the Midwest, the family lost their crops and moved out west in search of a better life. Lela's family settled in Merced and Chowchilla. In Merced, Lela met the future love of her life, Louis Lee Hickman Johnson. Louis was impressed that Lela had learned to drive at the age of 13 and was a skilled marksman who also enjoyed camping and hunting. They married in 1958 and celebrated 65 years together where they demonstrated the purest form of love, compassion, respect, and commitment toward each other. Lela's family, friends, and even brief acquaintances commented on their sweet, kind, and joyful ways. They were side by side always, and it was Louis' hand to hold that comforted Lela most.

Lela graduated from Hilmar High School at the early age of 16 and later enrolled in Fresno Pacific College. In 1959, she obtained her degree in Liberal Studies and teaching credential from Fresno State University. She went on to teach students of all ages during her years at Weaver Elementary, Fairmead Elementary, and Chowchilla High School where she also served as a librarian. For a short time, she taught in Anaheim and enjoyed Disneyland with Louis for only $14 a day. Lela spent decades of her life teaching. However, her love and concern for the next generations was not limited to her students. She also taught Sunday school to many children and adults who still remember her to this day.

After being married 10 years, Louis and Lela welcomed their first adopted daughter, Lisa, in September 1968 followed by adopting their second daughter, Kelly, in May 1970. Lela made sure they were raised in church and developed talents of their own, particularly piano playing. For a short time, Lela and Louis were both private pilots who enjoyed flying their two planes together. The joyrides were unforgettable! The family of four also enjoyed deer hunting trips together in the fall and summer travels across the United States and Canada in the 1970 Maverick and later 1979 Mustang. Additionally, Lela was instrumental in the growth of Cathedral of Faith where she worked closely with the teen youth group and choir. One of Lela's favorite memories was planning and traveling in a church bus filled with teenagers all the way back to Washington D.C., singing and ministering to many churches across the United States. Of course, she took her two young daughters everywhere she went. Lela and Louis made sure their home was a place where everyone felt welcome, especially their daughters' friends whom Lela loved to have over for slumber parties. The girls roller skated throughout their house, filled the living room with sleeping bags, and looked forward to Lela's biscuits and chocolate gravy on Saturday mornings.

Later in life, Lela pursued another ministry as a funeral assistant where she supported many bereaved families. She always demonstrated a true servant's heart and was deeply compassionate toward others. For many years, she enjoyed helping take care of her grandkids and later found pleasure in the cabin and small mountain home built by Louis where she quickly adapted to his frontier ways and wild pets. In 1994, she became a member of the Clovis Church of Christ. She looked forward to weekend drives to Fresno for Sunday services and all family gatherings. Lela enjoyed the simple things in life, especially playing games with her grandchildren, reading books, and working on puzzles no one else could complete. She was so proud of her family and genuinely cared about each one of them. She just had to know everything that was going on in their lives and served as their #1 cheerleader (and loudest, too), whether it was a sporting event, academic award, or personal achievement. Her daughters were her gifts as she would say, her sons-in-law were the sons they never had, and her six grandkids were by far her greatest joy. She always made a point to tell them how much she loved them.

Lela is survived by her husband of 65 years, Louis, of Auberry; daughters, Lisa Johnson and Kelly Ayerza (husband, Anthony Jr.) of Clovis; grandchildren, Anthony Ayerza III (wife Mitzi) of Kingsburg, Blake Harrell, Bailey Harrell, Jordan Ayerza, Heather Ayerza, and Loryn Ayerza all of Clovis. She is also survived by Louis' sisters, brother, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, church families, and friends.

Lela was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lillian; sister and "brother", Alta Lee and Stan Bradley; nieces Linda, Sandy, and Debbie who were like her daughters; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and beloved friends. All can rest upon God's promise, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6