Charlene "Heidi" Marie Johns

Charlene "Heidi" Marie Johns, 74, of Conroe, Texas, passed away on April 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on September 17, 1950, in Nashville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of Leroy Martin and Pauline Marie (Pardue) Martin. As the youngest of three children, Heidi was always cherished by her older brothers, Richard Arden Martin and James Roy Martin, who were constantly looking out for their little sister. They fondly recall watching the Howdy Doody Show together, where Heidi’s joyful laughter earned her the nickname “Howdy,” which eventually evolved into “Heidi” — a name that stayed with her throughout her life.

Heidi grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1969. Known for her lively conversations, she occasionally found herself in trouble with the nuns at school for talking too much. After visiting Georgia, she met Larry Marshall Johns, the love of her life. She knew he was "the one" and quickly relocated to Georgia to marry him. Their 40-year marriage was a beautiful partnership until Larry's passing in 2014.

In 1986, Heidi and Larry moved to The Woodlands, Texas, and she called Texas home for the remainder of her life. Heidi dedicated 14 years of service to the Conroe Independent School District as a grade-level secretary and instructional aide. Later, she worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 8 years before retiring in 2015.

As a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, CA 1884, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heidi was involved with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe. She also volunteered at the Conroe House of Prayer (CHOP), providing warm meals to those in need.

Heidi had a true love for gardening, particularly red geraniums, and spent countless hours on the back porch, surrounded by family, engaging in conversations and playing games. She found joy caring for the many family dogs she cherished throughout life. Fishing was another passion that she shared with her father in her youth and later continued with her children. She was always present for her children’s activities, from dance recitals to baseball and football games, and she carried that support into her grandchildren's lives. Family was everything to her.

Heidi was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Marshall Johns, and her parents, Leroy and Pauline Martin.

She is survived by her brother Richard Arden Martin, and brother James Roy Martin (and his wife, Laura Bell Martin); her daughter, Heather Marie Cagney (and her husband, Travis Cagney), and grandchildren Carter, Kendall, and Katie Cagney; her son, Lee Marshall Johns (and his wife, Casi Johns), and grandchildren Lindsey Koski, Courtney DeSiata, and Dylan and Blake Johns, Lauryn Cook, Landon Strange, and Dillon Kefauver; her son, Michael Johns (and his wife, Lindsey Johns), and grandchildren Hagan, Maci, and Lincoln Johns; 12 great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Lucy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Contributions can be sent online at stjude.org or mailed to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A visitation with the family for Heidi will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384 to be followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A committal service will then take place from 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM with a reception to follow from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.