Marlene Joyce Johnson

August 9, 1950 – August 1, 2025

Marlene was born on August 9, 1950, in Durban, South Africa, as the oldest of three children to Norman and Thelma Beaney. The family lived in Durban until Marlene was 10 years old and they moved back to the United Kingdom. They moved for the last time as a family to Bicester, Oxfordshire, England. Norman and Thelma owned a Grocers business in Bicester and Kidlington and Marlene finished growing up in the flat attached to the business located in Bicester. She continued on through secondary school and completed her schooling.

While out one evening with friends, Marlene met a U.S. Air Force Airman, Glenn Johnson. She thought Glenn was funny with a good sense of humor, and they hit it off. Four months later in December of 1973 they married, and they became an instant family with Marlene’s daughter, Cheryl. Next year their son, Kirby, was born. The family travelled to many posts and bases over the years Glenn was in the military including many southwestern states and Germany.

Marlene was reserved, proper, and a bit shy. She was, however, full of wit with a brave, big heart. She warmed up to people slowly, but if you were one of “her people” you were blessed to know her. She was always an avid reader, especially of suspense and mysteries. Over the years she tried her best at knitting and sewing. She also enjoyed sketching various objects. She would move the furniture around for a change but hated most other types of change. She loved cats and other animals greatly. She donated to several animal rescue organizations and other humanitarian organizations regularly over the years. She loved to play card games. She was also an avid Dart player (darter) and a member of the National Darters Association.

As she entered middle age, she came out of her shell quite a bit. She joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles and several Dart leagues around Belton. It was in her middle age that she became a Christian and followed God through the rest of her life. She loved to attend Church, read the Bible, and learn more about God. One thing about her is that she showed up for her kids. If they needed her – she was there. She also was a very active grandparent and showed up for probably 18+ years of watching baseball/softball games, choir concerts, plays and musicals and other important life events for her grandchildren who she absolutely adored.

In 2023 Marlene was diagnosed with two different types of cancer. She fought this with everything she had but lost that fight on August 1, 2025, in the ICU at Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton, MO. The family wishes to thank all the people involved in taking care of Marlene during that time and over the years. They were all caring and respectful.

Marlene was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. She leaves her daughter Cheryl McCarroll and husband, David, and four grandchildren – Julianna, Caleb, Joshua (wife Emily), and Olivia McCarroll of MO, along with her son Kirby Johnson and wife Gina of Anchorage, AK and their animal babies. She also leaves behind her brother Malcolm Beaney and sister Janet Kemp (husband John) both of the U.K. Marlene had numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and great nephews, who she loved a lot. She was preceded in death by her Husband of almost 50 years, Glenn Johnson, and her parents, Norman and Thelma Beaney. Marlene had friends who were like family to her as well.

The family wishes to thank all the people who have reached out to them during this difficult time as it is so appreciated. The family is planning a private memorial on Sunday, September 7, 2025. There is no need to bring or send flowers or cards. However, if someone would like to help, the family has suggested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society so that Marlene’s memory can help the battle for a cure to cancers or to the Alley Cat Rescue. This is a story of a life well-lived.