Carolyn Mae Bates Johnston

Carolyn Mae Bates Johnston, aged 75, wife, mother, sister and dearly loved by many, passed away suddenly on October 22, 2016 of heart failure. Carolyn was born on September 1, 1941, in Yuma, Colorado, the daughter of Leo Vern and Elizabeth Cora Bates.

Carolyn lived most of her life in the Denver area, although throughout her childhood she also resided in Yuma and Greeley, CO; Kansas City, MO and Idaho Falls, ID. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1959 and started her business career working for Westinghouse at the Idaho National Laboratory. In the summer of 1961, her family moved back to Denver to be near quality medical care for her mother, Cora that was suffering from Leukemia.

In Denver, she landed at Martin Marietta where she met Bob Johnston. They quickly fell in love and married a few short months later and enjoyed bowling, attending car races and rallies and dancing. They started their family in 1966 with the birth of their children Beth Ann (1966), Robby (1968) and Luann (1971).

Her family was always her first priority, loving unconditionally and was always a devoted mother to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom always brought her joy and comfort. She opened a daycare business in her home where she cared and nurtured other children as well as her own, until moving to Aurora in 1976 when she earned her Real Estate license and started her career in Real Estate. Carolyn possessed a strong work ethic and worked with Steve Schulz for nearly 40 years up to the day of her passing.

Her interests and activities included spending time with her family, the mountains, swimming, gospel music, radio talk shows, attending church and worship, and most important to her was being dedicated to her faith in God and Prayer.

Loved ones that helped to prepare a place for her are her Husband, Robert Charles Johnston (Feb 2004), Parents, Cora Elizabeth (Jan 1965) and Leo Vern Bates (Dec 2009), Grandson, Austin James Jennewein (Feb 1996) and Great Granddaughter, Scarlett Hope Gamel (Sept 2009).

Loved ones that will miss Carolyn until we see her again are her children Elizabeth Ann Jennewein (Mark), Charles Robert Johnston (Vicki) and Luann Kay Beaudoin (Bobby), her siblings Elmer Bates (Joanne), Doug Slaymaker (Sharon) and Denny Slaymaker (Debbie), Leo’s second wife LaVora M Bates, grandchildren Brandon Tyler Gamel (Rachael), Tanner Ray Gamel, Dillon Jay Gamel, Colton Reed Jennewein, Katelyn Mae Johnston, Chase Tyler Jennewein and great grandchildren Greyson Trea Gamel and Cylus Kade Gamel along with many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to sincerely thank everyone that has shared their condolences and asks that you love without judgment and be servant to Jesus by helping, giving and being kind to others, as Carolyn would wish this blessing for you.