Rosa Lee Johnson, born on August 13, 1925, in Bucklin, Kansas, to parents Franklin Henry McKey and Martha Fern (Smith) McKey, went to be with the Lord on January 5, 2026, at the age of 100. A resident of Abilene, Texas, Rosa Lee was known for her compassionate and sociable nature, touching the lives of many throughout her century-long journey.
Rosa Lee married her late husband, Jack Johnson, on October 10, 1943, in Garden City, Kansas. Together, they raised four sons and embraced the life of a military family. Her career was largely spent in the retail industry, where she worked as a sales associate for various companies. Additionally, she found joy working at a dog kennel at Rescue the Animals. Rosa Lee had been enjoying her retirement for many years.
Her personal interests were rich and varied. She loved knitting and crocheting bedspreads, clothes, and other items. Rosa Lee enjoyed spending time at the senior citizens center, playing games with friends, and tending to her flowers. A lover of country music, she admired artists like Conway Twitty and George Jones, and she was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour Western books. Rosa Lee cherished the Grand Ole Opry and enjoyed attending her son Jackie Johnson's music concerts. She also played the organ, favoring gospel music, and would occasionally perform at her church.
Rosa Lee is survived by her sons, Jackie Johnson and Mike Johnson, and Randy Johnson with his wife Colleen; her brother, Wayne McKey; sister, Lee Nonamaker; as well as 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren, with one more girl on the way. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Jack Johnson, her son Jerry Johnson, her brother Jay McKey, and her sister Martha Mae McKey. Rosa Lee will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, located at 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX, on January 16, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will take place at the same venue on January 17, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Committal will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, HWY 180, Anson, TX, from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
Pallbearers include Jackie Johnson, Randy Johnson, Mike Johnson, Colby Johnson, Cody Johnson, and Cariel Williamson. Honorary pallbearers are Jericho Johnson, Judea Johnson, Elliott Johnson, Oliver Johnson, Darby Johnson, and Mark Craft.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rescue the Animals, SPCA, at 4620 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603, or online at www.rescuetheanimals.org.
