Elaine (Copeland) Johnson

Elaine Copeland Johnson, 91, of Highlands, NC, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2021, at the Eckerd Living Center where she had resided in recent months.  Her passing was due to complications of vascular dementia.  She was preceded in death by her late husband, Keith Gunnar Johnson.

Elaine was born on July 19, 1930, the daughter of the late Frances and Douglas Copeland, and grew up in Montgomery, AL, where she graduated from high school and earned a BA degree in English from Huntingdon College. Her grandfather was a former mayor of Dothan, AL.

After her marriage to Keith Johnson in 1952, the couple resided in Brockton, MA, and South Easton, MA, and Elaine worked in the insurance agency business.  In the 1970s her husband’s position with the decorating firm FW Schumacher & Company in Boston, MA, was transferred to Florida, where the couple resided in West Palm Beach and later in St. Petersburg.  

While still living in Florida, they purchased a summer home on Netsi Place in the Mirror Lake section of Highlands. Following their retirement in 1988, the couple expanded their cabin on Mirror Lake and moved there full time.  They both became active in the Mirror Lake Improvement Association (MLIA) for many years where Keith served as Vice President and Elaine served as Secretary.  At MLIA meetings they could always be seen seated at the head table along with then MLIA President and 'the late" Mayor Buck Trott, Elaine with pencil and short-hand pad at the ready.  Following each meeting she typed up the minutes meticulously on an electric typewriter.  During that time Elaine also became known for her column in The Highlander called Mirror Lake Reflections.

Elaine also was active in the Mountain Garden Club where in her later years she was honored with Emeritus status.  During the club’s annual Memorial Day plant sale, Elaine became the official gatekeeper of the event and was fondly known as "the sheriff”.

During her younger years and extending throughout most of her adult life, Elaine was an avid horsewoman and rider.  

Prior to residing at the Eckerd Center, Elaine lived for a number of years at Chestnut Hill.  

Elaine is survived by a sister, Frances Evans, of Gainesville, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Johnson Foster, of Scituate, MA; a brother-in-law, Wayne Johnson (Dr. Frankie Mickelson), of Washington, DC, and Highlands, NC; seven nieces and nephews.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Johnson family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

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