Dorothy May Johnson

Dorothy was the third and youngest daughter of William and Huldah Myrtle (Crook) Anderson – born on October 5, 1921, on the family farm near Cresson, Texas. Growing up with sisters, cousins, and assorted and sundry friends, she grew up during the Roaring 20s (which really weren’t felt in Central Texas) and the Depression – which was. She learned to drive the family car at an early age in order to make hauling water from the windmill to the house easier. She graduated from the 11th grade at Cresson in 1938 and went to Godley High School where she graduated the following year. Then it was on to TSCW (now TWU). She often said that she remembered very little about World War II as she was busy studying and passing her classes. She graduated in 1944 with a degree in Home Economics. She taught Home Economics at Haskell (TX) High School for a year then joined the Farmers’ Home Administration and was sent to the office in Henderson, Texas. It was in Henderson that she met and married the late Charles V. Johnson on November 10, 1946. They had two children, Mary and Van. They lived in Henderson, Nacogdoches, Longview, and Tyler. It was in Tyler where they remained for the next sixty-plus years. Dorothy taught Home Economics and Home Economics Cooperative Education in Tyler for 29 years. After retiring from teaching, she worked part time for over 20 years at the Tyler Junior College. She was an active member of Glenwood United Methodist Church and Fairwood UMC, Glenwood’s successor church.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jarvis, of Amarillo; her son, Charles V. (Van) Johnson and wife Terri, of Tucker, GA; four grandchildren, Charles Jarvis of Houston, Michael Johnson of Atlanta, Andrew Johnson of College Station, and Camille Johnson of Tucker, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Mary Sue Rash and Willena Tucker. She is also survived by a host of friends, including The Group – Gay Howard, Marian Jackson, Dixie McCormick, Robin Insalaco, and Vicki Stewart – who regularly took dinner and then joined her for a meal and visiting. Special thanks to her caregivers from Hamptons Plus Care, at the Hamptons at Pine Forest, The Heights of Tyler, and The Heritage in Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Fairwood United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

Visitation at Lloyd James Funeral Home (1011 E. First St.) Friday, November 14 from 5:00 – 7:00PM. Graveside service at Lakewood Cemetery, Henderson, Saturday, November 15, at 11:00AM.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.