Barbara Jean Johnson

Barbara Jean Johnson (née Castleman), was born December 20, 1928, in Tampa, Florida to John and May Castleman (née Hosselton). She was a life-long resident of Palmetto, Florida. Raised in this area before it became populated, she could tell stories of playing in the sand on the tip of Emerson Point or wading with her father and siblings out into Tampa Bay to gather scallops and clams for supper. She loved animals and was always dragging one home and begging to keep it.

She married Ray Johnson of Palmetto (formerly of Indiana) and they had five children, Bobbie Rae (spouse Jeff Burtard, children Eric and Adam Henderson), Logan (children Neil, David, Michael, and Kristen), Virginia “Ginger” (spouse Bill Evans, children Keith Laidig, Chris, Jonathan, Ann Janét and Tabitha Arnold) Danny (child Danny-Paul Freck), and James (spouse Mary née Gair, children Jarod, Rayna, and Lora), twenty-three great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Barbara Jean was a hard worker who loved her family and endeavored to keep them happy and healthy. She was employed in the Manatee County school system at Palm View Elementary, Samoset Elementary, part-time at Olan Mill Studios, and the old 14th Street K-Mart café in Bradenton, and finally as the cafeteria manager of Palmetto High School for sixteen years.

Barbara took great pride in the quality of the food she cooked, and the fact that she always came in below budget, saving the school system money. She carefully sourced the best ingredients and best prices for the ingredients, and always cooked meals from scratch. The students and staff alike all loved her cooking because she made sure the food she served tasted amazing. She finally retired in 1988 to take care of her ailing parents. In her retirement, she wrote several children’s books which were recently published in the fall of 2022.

Everyone who met her instantly liked and respected her. She loved the Lord, and it was evident by her service. She cooked and served countless meals to her church families over the years. She said she felt God had given her the mission of taking care of and helping people; she did it beautifully. She lived a life of selflessness. She was a member of Tatum Ridge Baptist Church in Sarasota.

She closed her eyes on earth and opened them in heaven on September 2, 2023 at the age of 94. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, sister Lois, husband Ray, her son Logan, four grandchildren (Eric, Neil, Adam, and Ann Janét) and one-great grandchild. A private family memorial service, per her request, will be held at a later date, with Pastor Larry Smith officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.groover-funeral-home.com for the Johnson family.