Dana Lynn Johnson

Dana Lynn Martin Johnson, a friend, aunt, sister, social worker, and citizen par excellence, who did whatever it took to make room in her heart and family for anyone who was hurting, lost, or abandoned, passed away unexpectedly July 20, 2022. She was 58.

Dana was born December 7, 1963, to a mother who loved her so much she allowed Dana to be adopted by Carl W. Martin & Bobbye Whatley Martin who raised her with love and grace in Jal, New Mexico.

Dana graduated from Jal High School in 1981 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science & Criminology/Sociology from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. She then went on to achieve a Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

During Dana’s multi-faceted career she used her talents at the United Way, West Texas Gas, Inc., and the Springboard Center in Midland, Texas, where she proudly served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

After moving to Burnet in 2012, Dana worked at Burnet High School and eventually chose a career as a Social Worker and Investigator with Child Protective Services. Dana was constantly on the move, always working to improve life for others. She never slowed down, and she pushed her mind and body to the maximum with what she considered her calling - to protect the most vulnerable around us. Dana worked tirelessly for the children on her worklist, even when she was struggling with her own health or putting her life at risk working through a pandemic. She felt her work was a calling from God, and she certainly answered the call.

Dana was all about her family, both those related to her by blood and by love. She leaves behind a legacy of love and service to others, something she showed not only to her friends, family, and anyone in need, but also to the hundreds of children she helped to protect during her life’s work.

In addition to her friends and family, Dana loved the Texas A&M Aggies, her dogs, being outside, getting a good tan, brightening everyone’s day with funny good morning memes, fancy bottled water, crime TV, cokes, her daily tea deliveries, hot dogs, and her grandnieces and nephews, who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Dank”.

She is proceeded in death by her father, Carl W. Martin, her mother, Bobbye Whatley Martin, her brother, Michael Martin, and her Godfather, Hubert O. Whitt.

Dana leaves behind many relatives, friends, and everyday people whose paths she crossed and lives she touched by her kindness and overall zest for life. Dana was such a light in this world, and she will be deeply missed by all who were blessed enough to have crossed her path.

A celebration honoring the life of Dana Lynn Martin Johnson will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 10:30am at the First United Methodist Church of Burnet at 301 E Graves St, Burnet, TX 78611.

For those unable to attend the service, it can be viewed live at one of the following links:

"https://youtu.be/eDu5ppNPaz0"

"www.fumcburnet.org/live"

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating in honor of Dana to one of the charities that meant so much to her:

Burnet County Child Welfare Board – 1104 Buchanan Drive, Suite 2, Burnet, Texas 78611- www.tccwb.org/boards/local-boards/burnet

Hill Country Humane Society – 9150 Highway 1431 West, Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609 – www.hillcountryhumanesociety.org

The Springboard Center for Addictive Recovery – 200 Corporate Drive, Midland, Texas 79705 – www.springboardcenter.org