TRIBUTES have been paid to a `lovely, wonderful' woman whose tragic death has plunged a shocked former mining community into mourning.
Yvonne Johnson was killed when her car was involved in a collision with another vehicle on a notorious stretch of country road on the outskirts of Bedworth.
She died instantly in the accident in Smorrall Lane, Bedworth, not far from her home on the former Coal Board estate at Bedworth Heath.
Described by her friends as `full of life' and a `livewire,' she was secretary of the South Warwickshire Retired Miners and Leisure Club.
Club president Mike O'Brien, the former MP for Bedworth and North Warwickshire, said: "I am shocked and gutted by the news. I have known Yvonne for years, she was a lovely woman.
"She was a livewire who kept people enthused and really made the retired miners association a vital part of the local community."
He added: "Yvonne was such a lovely person. She was organised and kept the committee going and will be greatly missed. She is irreplaceable."
His thought were endorsed by club chairman Alan Wilson, who said: "It is terrible news, she was very devoted to the club and did a lot of work that was unseen and unheard.
"She organised holidays and arranged outings and would often pay for things out of her own pocket. Last Valentine's Day we had a dance and Yvonne and her husband Brian pinned a flower to everyone as they came in.
"At Easter, they dressed up as Easter Bunnies and handed out chocolate eggs. She was that type, a fun loving person."
Alison Bradford, who worked closely with her as club treasurer, said: "We worked well together, she was full of life. Whatever she did she did it well and she will be missed.
"She was a bit younger than most of us, but we organised the dinners and the outings together. Everybody will miss her."
Police are appealing for witnesses of the accident that happened just after 11pm on Sunday night when she was on her way to her job as night manager at the Welcome Break at Corley Service on the M6.
The collision took place on Smorrall Lane near the Pheasant Nest Kennels and involved a blue VW Golf travelling from the direction of Corley towards Bedworth and her blue Ford Ka.
A senior paramedic officer in a repaid response vehicle and an ambulance crew attended the accident, along with police and the fire service.
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: "One of the drivers, a woman, was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.
"The other driver, a man in his twenties, was treated for shock and was taken to George Eliot Hospital for further assessment and treatment."
Mrs Johnson, who was 64, lived in Mavor Drive at the heart of the sprawling Bedworth Heath Estate with her husband Brian, who worked at the Homefire Plant in Keresley until he was badly injured and had to retire.
She moved to Bedworth from Burnhope in County Durham, and had two sons, Andrew and Michael, and two grand-daughters and also a son Brian, who died.
The South Warwickshire Retired Miners and Leisure Club was originally formed to cater for ex-miners at Newdigate, Coventry and Daw Mill Collieries and workers at the Homefire Plant at Keresley, but was then opened to any retired people.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle travelling along Smorrall Lane prior to the accident should contact PC Thomas White at the Coleshill traffic base on 01926 415 415.
