Jane J. Johnson

Jane Justus Johnson was born July 10, 1930 in Tyronza, AR to Cecil and Ruby Justus, and she passed away December 9, 2015 in Fort Smith, AR. She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Johnson; her parents; her step-father, Roy Gandy; one brother, Sonny Justus; and one sister, Joanne Essman.

Jane lived in many places after she married James B. Johnson who was a Baptist minister of music and education. She made many lifetime friends in Canyon, TX, Muskogee, OK, Blytheville and Pine Bluff, AR, and Memphis, TN. She was married for 53 years before Mr. Johnson passed away in 2001. She moved to Fort Smith in 2004.

Jane worked for many years as a teacher in preschool education and children’s ministries where she touched the lives of many children and families. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, knitting, crochet and being with family. She will be remembered as a devout and dedicated Christian who was a spiritual leader to her entire family.

She is survived by her two sons, Jim Paul Johnson and his wife Wanda of Athens, Alabama, and Joel Johnson and his wife Melissa of Fort Smith; four granddaughters, Jolie Separk and her husband Greg of Marietta, Georgia, Ruth Rye and her husband Andy of Fort Smith, Beth Horton and her husband Taylor of Searcy, AR, and Lara Johnson of Fort Smith; five great-grandsons, Andrew, William, and Matthew Rye, Jamey Separk, and Jack Horton. She is also survived by her youngest sister, Marijean Going and husband Larry. Also surviving are two aunts and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2015, from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith

Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 11, 2015, at the First Baptist Church in Tyronza, AR with interment immediately following at Tyronza Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Jim and Bo Prestidge, Cecil Going, Justin Essman, Mark McDaniel, and Larry Going.

The family thanks the staff on West Hall at Methodist Health and Rehab for their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com