LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Geraldine Brown Johnson of Sulphur Bank entered into rest on Dec. 14, 2020, in her home Elem in Clearlake Oaks, California.

Geraldine was the firstborn of seven children to Jim Brown II of Elem and Elvina Hopper of Big Valley and the Hawaiian Islands.

Geraldine was born in Lakeport, California, in the month of June 1940. She was raised in the Catholic Church and her traditional Native American culture. Geraldine was the first in her family to graduate from Lower Lake High School in 1959.

Geraldine had a beautiful singing voice and used to sing at the Lower Lake Theatre House before the showings began. She was an avid musician and studied classical guitar, played piano and was inspired by her love, Elvis Presley.

Geraldine moved to Oakland, California, to attend Heald Business College and after graduating she was employed as the executive secretary of the superintendent for Oakland Public Schools. She was the president of the Native Woman’s Club she helped her mother organize in Oakland.

Geraldine married her beloved husband Hason Johnson in 1975 in Nevada.

Her interests include traveling to many continents following the Grand Prix. Geraldine was a devoted Raider fan, a longtime Bay Area Oakland A’s and Golden State Warriors fan.

Her tribal civic duties included Lake County Tribal Health Charter Board Member in 1982, a part of Elem Indian Colony’s first casino on tribal lands in 1994, and Elem tribal government’s first chairwoman from 2008 to 2010.

Geraldine was a role model, possessed a strong work ethic and high standards in education. She was known to have such style and grace, she gave the very best gifts, she loved the holidays and was a mother to all her nieces and nephews.

Geraldine Brown Johnson is survived by her husband of 45 years, Hason Johnson; her daughter, Jessica Brown; brother, Jim Brown III; sisters-in-law, Gail Brown and Carol Brown; her granddaughters, Virginia and Angela; her grandsons, Xalya and Ryan; her 23 nieces and nephews and over 100 great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews who called her Grandma Gerri.

Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, Jim Brown II and Elvina Hopper Brown; brothers, Raymond, Marvin and Cecil; sister, Sharon Brown; granddaughter Niyla Anita Brown-Gonzalez; and her beloved fur baby Elvis.

A traditional ceremony will be held for Geraldine Brown Johnson at Elem in Clearlake Oaks.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.