Johanna was born in Bluefield, WV to Paul and Maxine Holm. She got her Bachelor's degree at the University of Cincinnati, in Ohio, and later, continued her education at West Virginia University, Charleston Campus.

Johanna's career began at Union Carbide Chemical Corporation in South Charleston, WV where she worked as a chemist. After ten years she decided laboratory work was not to her liking and decided to go back to college so that she could earn a teaching certificate in order to teach in the Kanawha County, WV school system. While she spent most of her 30 year teaching career as a chemistry and mathematics instructor at George Washington High School in Charleston, she also taught briefly at both South Charleston High School and Hayes Junior High School in St. Albans, WV.

Apart from her teaching career, Johanna was particularly proud of serving on the Kanawha County's Animal Shelter's Board of Directors. She was instrumental in starting school based junior humane societies in several county junior high and high schools. She was also proud in finding permanent homes for hundreds of cats and dogs and adopted many animals herself.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in the activity center at Cottonwood Estates Senior Living, Alpharetta, GA at 2:00PM. Attendees will have the opportunity of sharing warm memories with family and friends who had the privilege and joy of knowing her.

Be sure to choose the option to the left under her photo to "Share a Memory". Condolences to family and friends may be sent to Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075