Emmagene Johnson

Emmagene Johnson, 91, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Emmagene was born December 14, 1931 in LaCenter, Kentucky to her parents John Thomas Heflin and Virginia Francis Heflin. She spent her very happy childhood surrounded by extended family on the farm. While living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to work as a nursing assistant, Emmagene met her husband Billie C. Johnson, marrying him September 9, 1951. They eventually moved to Flint, Michigan, where Billie and Emmagene had two children, Mary Virginia and John Michael. After staying home with Ginny and Mike, Emmagene attended University of Michigan Flint, earning a degree in education in 1967. Their third child Bethany Ann was born that year. A born teacher, Emmagene began her career in Manpower Development in Flint before moving to the Davison School District. Emmagene taught elementary school in Davison for over 30 years before coming to the difficult decision to retire.

Emmagene and Billie could usually be found tending the flower beds in their yard in Davison or volunteering for hospice. They loved driving across the country on one of their many vacations. A keen and avid reader, Emmagene usually had several books going at one time until her eyesight became too bad. She was a political news buff and had a great interest in history.

Emmagene was especially devoted to her grandchildren and played a role in raising many of them. She was immensely proud of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. For both Billie and Emmagene, being surrounded by their grandchildren made any day special. After moving to Holt, Michigan to help care for their grandson Michael Judge, they were soon joined by their grandson Christopher Johnson, who cared for both Billie Emmagene with love and devotion until their deaths.

Emmagene is survived by her daughter Bethany (Jeffrey) Judge; daughter-in-law Janet Johnson; grandchildren Erik (Theresa) Kreiner, Amy Kreiner, Jared Kreiner, Christopher Johnson, John Thomas Johnson, and Michael Judge; great grandchildren Paige (Robert Thomas) Kreiner, Stevie Kreiner, Bonham Kreiner, Wren Johnson, Reed Johnson; and great-great grandchildren Milo Laasko and Eleanor Laasko.

Emmagene was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Billie C. Johnson; parents John T. Heflin and Virginia Hughes; brothers, Thomas W. (Fairy) Heflin and Harry Russell (Emily) Heflin; son John Michael Johnson; daughter Mary Virginia Foster.

A visitation for Emmagene will be held Monday, April 17 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823. A graveside service will take place Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00am at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, MI.

For those who wish, memorial contributions in Emmagene’s name may be made to the Elara Caring Hospice Foundation https://elaracaringhospicefoundation.org.