Doris Long Johnson

Doris was very involved in Girls in Action growing up. She and her siblings were in church every time the doors were open.  This love for Jesus and others formed her world view at an early age, which would carry her throughout her life.

Doris was a graduate of Samuell High School in Dallas, Texas. Knowing she always wanted to be a teacher, Doris enrolled in East Texas Baptist College and met the love of her life, Thomas Johnson, the first week she arrived on campus.  Tom was also studying to become a teacher.  From there, Doris earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and then went on to earn her Master’s Degree from East Texas State University. Thomas and Doris married on August 21, 1964, at Home Gardens Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and had two daughters, Jennifer and Judith.   

 Doris taught at Crockett Elementary and Trinity Episcopal, both in Marshall, Texas before moving to Plano in 1974, where she taught at Wilson Middle School, Barron Elementary School, and Daffron Elementary School. Doris took her job seriously and never wanted to miss a day of teaching school because she didn’t want to let her students down.  She worked early, late, and weekends to make sure she was doing everything possible to teach her students to the best of her ability. Doris was truly an amazing teacher and was recognized as Teacher of the Year. She was an active member and former officer of Delta Kappa Gamma. Doris retired after 36 years of teaching and was also very involved in Plano Retired Teachers for many years.

Not only did she pour everything she had into her students, but Doris willingly did the same for family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, and (Nana) grandmother. Her family was of upmost importance to her, and she gave every ounce of energy she had to loving, teaching, and caring for them.  She was the best mom, and always put her kids before her in everything she did.  Becoming a grandmother was a joy for Doris, as she was a proud and doting grandmother. Being a mom and nana was a blessing to Doris, and it was even more wonderful with Tom by her side. Tom and Doris did everything together. They even shared a birthday (Tom is one year older). They loved the great state of Texas and Texas history.  Their daughters joked that almost every family vacation was a Texas history fieldtrip. They passed on their love of history to their grandchildren.  More importantly, their 59 years of marriage provide a path of love and faith to their family, that will live on for years to come.

Doris was an amazing cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. She loved to read and shared her passion for reading with her family and her students. Each Christmas everyone in the family received multiple books in addition to their other gifts. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she made it such a special time of celebration.  More than anything, Doris loved Jesus.   She never wavered from her traditional Southern Baptist roots. The way she loved and the way she lived showed the heart of Christ. Doris will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her sister, Sharon and husband Jackie Stanley, and brother Ronnie Long. She is survived by husband Thomas Johnson, daughter Jennifer and husband Kyle Patterson, daughter Judith Willis, grandchildren Wade Willis, Ryan and wife Drisany Willis, Emily Patterson, and Luke Patterson, sister Linda and husband Charles Pierce, brother Perry and wife Earlene Long, many nieces, nephews, and other family members. 

A Celebration of her Life will be held at Stonebriar Funeral Home in Frisco, Texas at 11:00am on Thursday, November 16, 2023.  Interment will follow in Ridgeview West Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonebriarfh.com for the Johnson family.