Jimmie Jeanette Johnson

Jimmie is survived by her daughter, Jill Johnson Zeitz, and her husband Art Zeitz of Austin, Texas; son, James Byron Johnson and his wife Donna Goates Johnson of Austin, Texas; and son Jeffrey David Johnson and his wife Jennie Fish Johnson of Killeen, Texas. She is also survived by six wonderful grandchildren; Jenny and Julie Zeitz; Bobby, Ethan and Aidan Johnson; and Austin Firth. She was preceded in death by her husband Bobby B. Johnson; sisters June Araiza and Mary Love; and her mother Louise Johnson and father James Lauderback.

She married Bobby Byron Johnson of Pawnee, Oklahoma on April 16, 1955 in El Paso, Texas. After daughter Jill was born in 1956 and son James in 1958, she and Bobby left El Paso for Austin, Texas in 1959 where, except for a two year stint in San Antonio, they resided for the rest of their lives. In 1962, son Jeff was born and the Johnson family was complete. Jimmie was a loving, caring mother and wife, as well as a sister, aunt, and grandmother. Her husband Bobby was her life, as well as her three kids. Her family was her world. She loved her friends, her church, and Austin. Besides playing tennis and attending Longhorn games, she found joy with her Sew n So’s group at Tarrytown United Methodist Church as well as the United Methodist Women’s Association for many years. She and Bobby were members there since 1978 and were active in the church. Her faith was strong, and it carried her through many difficult times. The power of prayer, she felt, would get her through any challenge life brought her way. In 2005, her faith was tested when she lost her beloved husband, Bobby to cancer. She was lost without Bobby, never really recovered but never lost her faith. She couldn’t believe the love of her life was gone and all she wanted was to be with him again.

Jimmie was a passionate sports fan and avid tennis player, spending many a day at The Courtyard Tennis Club doing what she loved to do. She loved the Longhorns, the Cowboys, and the Spurs. She and Bobby were Longhorn season ticket holders for 40 years. Some of her most cherished memories came on Saturdays in the fall during football season, when the ‘Fat Club’ would get together for tailgating before, during, and after Longhorn games. The Fat Club consisted of many dear, lifelong friends, whose friendship extended beyond Longhorn games. They traveled together, spent many summer weekends at the lake together, and celebrated many 4th of July’s on Lake Travis. They were each other’s extended families, and a second set of parents to each other’s kids. Weekend trips to Lake Austin and City Park for water skiing and picnics were also a favorite family activity. She could water ski with the best of them. We will miss our Mom more than can possibly be imagined but also have faith that she is with God, Jesus and Bobby in Heaven. A beautiful angel will have been received in Heaven the day she passed away. We know she is looking down on us and protecting us always which gives us great comfort.

Services will be held at Tarrytown Methodist Church on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm. There will also be a Visitation at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks in Pflugerville from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, May 19, 2016.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Hospice Austin or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

We want to thank Gina, Dr. Maxwell and all of the wonderful caregivers and staff at Parmer Woods Memory Care unit. Jimmie had great affection for her caregivers and all of us are grateful for their attentive, loving service.