Johnie Lou Hunt-Gober

Johnie Lou Hunt passed away on March 31, 2021, in Art, Texas at the age of 94. Johnie Lou was born in 1926 in Temple, Texas. Born more than two months prematurely, Johnie Lou was a survivor, who remained for the entirety of her life small in stature but mighty in spirit and in faith. Her bright blue eyes, sweet smile, and gentle yet unfailingly cheerful disposition touched the lives of all who met her.

After the untimely death of her mother, Johnie Lou was raised by her maternal grandmother, Myrta Blakey. Johnie Lou and Myrta lived in several different locations in Texas, and also spent a number of years in Pasadena, California. Johnie Lou loved California, and often spoke fondly of her time there, including the time spent with her beloved cousin, Rex Reader.

Johnie Lou highly valued education. After returning to Texas from California, she chose to live independently from the age of 16 in order to finish high school. To support herself during this time, she worked at The Picadilly cafeteria on Congress Avenue, and lived with a roommate in a boardinghouse while finishing her education. She graduated from Austin High School in 1945 and achieved her dream of working in the Texas Capitol Building, where she worked for the State Comptroller's Office for more than 40 years.

She met Vernon Hunt in 1945 and they married in 1947. The couple resided in Austin and were blessed with two children, Diana Gail and Vernon Douglas "Pete" Jr. Vernon passed away in 1990, and Johnie Lou subsequently married Donald (Don) Gober. After the death of her second husband, Johnie Lou moved to Lubbock, Texas to be near her daughter. When Diana and her husband retired to Art, Texas, Johnie Lou returned to her native Austin. After living independently in Austin for many years, Johnie Lou spent her final years living with her daughter and grandson in Art, Texas.

Johnie Lou was a founding and lifelong member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. She was devoted to her church and spent countless hours volunteering in Faith's Food Pantry. She served tirelessly on numerous church committees and organizations over the years and considered her many church friends to be her Austin family.

Throughout her life, Johnie Lou exhibited infinite compassion for all living things, both people and animals. She had an incredible ability to meet and accept every person for who they were and was always ready to listen and offer support and guidance without judgment. She served as a sounding board for many family and friends throughout the years, who sought her sympathetic ear and gentle counsel on innumerable issues, both large and small.

Johnie Lou embodied the "can do, make do" spirit of her generation. She accepted life with all of its difficulties and challenges, of which she endured more than her share, but never allowed those trials to diminish the great joy she found in every-day things. She was a humble and kind soul who loved and found true joy in simple things like her morning coffee, birds, wildflowers, fresh air, pets (most recently her beloved puggle, Sidney) and time with family. When faced with adversity, she lived the motto of "perseverance wins"—a saying she repeated often to her children and grandchildren. Hers was a simple life well lived, and she will be greatly missed.

Johnie Lou is survived by her daughter, Diana G. Head of Art, Texas, her son Vernon "Pete" Hunt, Jr. (Donna) of Round Mountain, Texas, grandchildren Amy Hoff, Wesley Head, Tanner Hunt (Erica), Douglas Head (Claire), Audra Morgan (Michael), and great-grandchildren Olivia Blakey Hoff, Diego Makai Hunt, Cooper Morgan, Ian Cozart, and Caroline Cozart. She is also survived by her cousins Rex Reader of California and Ariel McTavish and family of Colorado.

An outdoor graveside service celebrating the life of Johnie Lou Hunt will be held at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park at 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas at 10AM on April 10, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the PAWS Shelter of Central Texas.