Jean Johnson

79, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 3, 2016. Born in Tampa on October 12, 1936, Jean is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Elmer Clair Johnson; son, Bruce Edward Johnson (Beth Carter); daughters, Kathy Johnson Maus (David) and Rebecca Johnson Pietrzyk; three beautiful and adoring grandchildren: Meaghan, David, Jr., and Susanna Jean; and step-brother, Ronald Hunter (Laura Ann). She is preceded in death by her brother, Charles Sigmon Phillips; parents, Marion Greene Phillips and William Sigmon Phillips; paternal grandparents, William T. Phillips and Carrie Phillips; maternal grandparents, Charles W. Greene and Carrie Price Greene; and three maternal aunts: Noretta Cuesta, Viola Fabian and Jane Smith. Jean was born at Tampa General Hospital and attended Mitchell Elementary and Wilson Middle School. It was in Tampa that her life long passion for horses was born. In 1946, she started riding at the Ballast Point Riding Academy and Tampa Yacht Club Stables. She loved to compete, but also enjoyed taking a leisurely "trail ride" up and down Bayshore Boulevard from time to time. Like her mother before her, Jean became an accomplished and tenacious young horsewoman.

At the age of 14, Jean moved to Tallahassee where she attended Leon High School and continued to make friends and hone her riding skills alongside her mother and brother. By then, she owned her own horse, Brandy, who lived in their backyard. Even though he was quite mischievous and provided her plenty of bumps, bruises, and long walks back to the barn, she loved him to pieces. It was also during these early years that she enjoyed traveling to Shell Point in Tampa (and later to Englewood/New Point Comfort) to spend her summer vacations and other occasions with her maternal grandparents as well as other special friends and relatives. Her Grandpa owned and operated Greene Marine Hardware & Auto Supplies in downtown Tampa, and he was a founding member of the Tampa Yacht Club. He also served the community as a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

Carrie Greene was the first woman in Florida to be hired as deputy game warden. Grandma was accepted locally as "the best shot around." She taught Jean how to fire a rifle, play Canasta, drive her 1937 LaSalle, and to enjoy nature and the beach. Many wonderful memories and life long friendships were made in Tampa, Englewood, and Tallahassee.

Jean went on to graduate from Florida State University in 1956. It was at FSU that she met the love of her life, Elmer. They married on May 3, 1958, and after 3 years in Jacksonville, settled back into Jean's hometown in south Tampa in 1961. They spent the next 55 years raising their three children, building a successful insurance business, and later enjoying their retirement and doting on their three delightful grandchildren. Throughout most of Jean's adult life she continued to ride and be involved in the horse business with the loving support of her husband and biggest fan, Elmer. For many years, she generously volunteered her time serving on various committees and on the board of the Tampa Horse Show Association. She also served several times as Chairwomen of the Tampa Charity and Harvest Days Horse Shows. In addition, she and her daughter Becky, who also happens to possess the "horse crazy gene," rode and traveled to horse shows together for over 35 years. Jean was extremely grateful to be able to ride and compete aboard her beloved palomino American Saddlebred, Galahad's Gold Mine, well into her 70s. Both in and out of the ring, the sport brought great achievements, incredible adventures and immense joy. It also afforded her the opportunity to make many dear friends, locally and from all over the country. Jean also loved to travel and she and Elmer circled the globe visiting more than 18 countries. She rode horses in Ireland, visited the Vienna Riding School in Austria, and enjoyed shopping for treasures to bring home to her family. Their travels culminated in their 50th wedding anniversary cruise with the entire family. Many referred to Jean as a true southern lady and she most certainly was. She was also a devoted wife and mother and a strong, determined, intelligent women who was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. Jean was a member of the Palma Ceia United Methodist Church and the Tampa Yacht Club. Private, graveside services for the family will be held at Myrtle Hill Cemetery on Friday, June 10, 2016. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held at Blount Curry Funeral Home -- MacDill Ave. on Monday, June 13th at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation to one of the following organizations in the name of Cynthia Jean Johnson is greatly appreciated:LifePath Hospice of Tampa - Garnet Team, Alzheimer's Association,American Saddlebred Horse Association.