Joann "Pinky" Collins Johnson

JoAnn “Pinky” Johnson of Leawood was welcomed into Paradise on January 28, 2022. She was 83. No doubt she was greeted with the words we all long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Pinky was a wonderfully kind, generous and thoughtful lady. She was an attentive, supportive and encouraging wife of more than 50 years to her late husband, Philip R. Johnson, and was an amazing mom to her three children, Shelby Jerome Johnson, Scott Jeffrey Johnson and Sally Johnson Beyers. Her family and friends are rejoicing that she has joined her sons and husband in Heaven.

Pinky had a contagious, wonderfully fun and gentle laugh and was quick to offer a hug. She made friends everywhere she went. A woman of uncompromising faith, she was a lifelong church member – actively participating in all types of ministries and Bible studies.

Pinky and Phil owned a real estate company, Keystone Realty, for many years. The also owned and managed an apartment building off of the Plaza. Before Keystone Realty, Pinky held leadership positions within food service operations at area colleges and senior living communities.

Pinky had a gift of being an amazing mom. She was extremely patient, loving, thoughtful and supportive of her three children as well as other kids she met along life’s journey. Following the birth of her youngest son, Scott, in 1970, Phil and Pinky became fierce advocates of the special needs community. “Scotter,” born with Down’s Syndrome, was a huge blessing to the family. Pinky, along with her entire family, believed there was something right with Scotter that wasn’t right with the rest of us. He loved unconditionally – no doubt a lesson he learned from his mom.

Pinky and Phil worked multiple jobs in the early years of Scott’s life to provide a proper education for their youngest son – long before public schools offered special education classes. They worked tirelessly to provide for their young family, remained active in their church, and volunteered in the community. Together, Pinky and Phil were a force in the special needs community, serving on multiple non-profit boards and church organizations to provide equal opportunities for the differently-abled.

A college graduate, who also earned a master’s degree, Pinky encouraged education and Biblical studies for her children and grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her granddaughter and two grandsons, Shelby MacKenzie Beyers of Dallas, Wesley James Beyers and Grayson Philip Beyers, both of Waco, TX. She adored each of them and consistently and intently devoted quality time with them individually and together. She particularly enjoyed reading to them and cuddles before bedtime when they were little. She was famous for serving chocolate sundaes for breakfast. She loved spoiling them and always struck a balance preparing yummy, nutritious meals, even if dessert was served first.

She was welcomed into Heaven with enthusiastic hugs from her oldest son, Shelby, who died in 1988, her youngest son, Scott, who died in 2014 and her lifelong love and husband, Philip, who died in 2016. She is survived by her only daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Matthew Beyers of Overland Park and their three children, and her only sister, Janell Renz and her husband, David, of Altamont, NY and their daughters, Amy Renz and Dani Cimino, both of Boston.

A celebration of Pinky’s life will be held at 11am on Thursday, March 10th at the Wesley Chapel of the Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood campus, 13720 Roe Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to The Golden Scoop, a local ice cream and coffee shop employing special needs adults. The Golden Scoop’s address is 9540 Nall Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66207.