Meta was the daughter and only child of the late Marvin Jeff and Vivian Faye (Hackett) Ashley. She was born on a farm near Rotan, Texas on January 5, 1928.
Throughout her childhood and teen years, Meta was interested in any activities involving speech and drama. In high school she was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1945.
On December 25, 1944, she married the love of her life James Weldon (Doc) Johnson. The couple celebrated their 73rd anniversary in Odessa, Texas. They had three sons all born and raised in West Texas.
After her husband's discharge from service, the couple moved to Crane, Texas , where they lived until 1980, when Gulf Oil for whom Doc worked, sent them to Venezuela for a two-year stint. They returned to Crane and were there until 1985, when they retired to beautiful Lake Brownwood. As old age took its toll, they moved back to West Texas in 2009, and settled in Odessa, Texas to be near their sons.
Meta was a home maker and a stay-at-home mom until her youngest son started to school in 1962. At this time, she enrolled in Odessa Junior College. In 1967, she graduated from Sul Ross State University with honors the same year her oldest graduated from high school. She taught high school English and coached the forensics team at Crane High School for a number of years.
Meta was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, a good friend and neighbor, a dedicated teacher and a talented speaker. Most importantly, she was a devout Christian, always busy in the Baptist churches of which she was a member. She was most passionate about her adult Sunday School classes, which she taught for over forty years. She was always an avid reader, and in her declining years found a new love: Christian book reviews. She was never happier than when she was preparing or delivering a review.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and by her oldest son, Michael Weldon Johnson.
Family was always of utmost importance to Meta. She often said her primary goal in life was to be a good wife and mother. She is survived by her beloved husband, James Weldon (Doc) Johnson, two sons Ashley Dwayne (Dee) and wife Vonna; and Stephen Fayne Johnson and his wife Mary. She also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and three great-great grandsons.
Friends and family may call on Thursday, November 29, from 6:00 to 8:00P.M., at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home, Odessa, Texas. The service will be held in the Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home Chapel on Friday November 30, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lyndel Lee ,Sr. and David Cadena of Tanglewood Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Rocky Creek Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas, Saturday, December 1, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.
Pall Bearers will be grandsons, Jeremy Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Jarad Smith, Josh Smith, Sean Thompson, Keith Dylla, Eric Rosette, Wes Kasper.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK. 73123, www.cancer.org or a charity of choice.
The family wishes to say a special Thank You to Star Hospice and West Texas Oncology.
Online condolences may be offered at frankwwilson.com
