Betty Marie Johnson

January 17, 1932-February 18, 2020

Affectionately called Dorothy by her family, which confused her children immensely in their younger years, Betty loved fashion, especially size 5 ½-6 designer shoes (no one else in the family could wear that small size). With chestnut hair, sky-blue eyes and 5’2” she stood tall for many things in her life. Betty detested laziness and as a nurse she believed in caring for the patient above all else. She held an active nurses license and was ready to get back to work at any time. As a past smoker who quit cold turkey she could smell a cigarette a mile away. Her eye sight was to be admired, sighting deer before anyone else, and her hearing was excellent, to the dismay of those hard of hearing that lived in her apartment complex. She moved like a woman many years younger, and had not suffered hip replacements or knee replacements. Not that her health was perfect, but with today’s medicines she was able to live life fully.

Betty loved travel. She visited many countries in Europe and lived in Florida and Texas, also holding nursing licenses there. Her sense of humor was renowned and it could be dry, befitting someone who had 88% English ancestry. She loved to listen to music and sing. She enjoyed making candy and desserts. Her additional pastimes were Pilates, art, crochet and stringing a hook. She cared about the environment and kept up with politics. She delighted in shopping, specifically the makeup counter. She played Solitaire and Candy Crush to keep her mind sharp and it truly was, she remembered details you might wish her to forget! In her older years if anyone treated her like she was senile she did not mince words on how she felt about that person!

In 1955 she married Marlowe Johnson. Daughters Bethany of Lansing, Jacqueline (Frank B.) Suhr of New Braunfels, TX and Jonathan (Kathleen) of Petoskey survive her. Our moms love was unconditional. She will be missed dearly.

She leaves twelve grandchildren, April (Chad) Breeden of Charleston, SC; Emily Erickson (Dan) of Chicago; Brandon Johnson of Wisconsin; Andrew Johnson of Texas; Frank J. and Jack Suhr of New Braunfels, TX; Victoria Rich of St Louis, MO; Samantha Rich of Austin, TX; Tessa Johnson of Florida; Jeffery Jr, Jewel and Jeremiah Johnson of Houston, TX and 3 great-grandchildren. Her sister Louise Lang of Grand Blanc, MI survives her. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Her son Jeffery, parents Francis M. Williams and Lossie (Steed), sister Mary June, brothers John and Gene, niece Mary and nephew John predeceased her.

A celebration of the life of Betty will be held at a later date at Hill Funeral Home. . We invite you to write a story about Betty to place in a memory box. The stories will be read by the family and shared during the service.