Rebecca Ann Johnson

Rebecca Ann Smith Johnson, 92, of Rome, Georgia, passed peacefully from her beloved home to her Heavenly home Monday, July 10, 2023 after a brief illness. Rebecca was born December 27, 1930 to Jennie Pearl Echols Smith and Lester Silas Smith, Sr in Columbus, GA. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 50 years, James Robert (Bob) Johnson, Sr., parents and brother Lester Silas Smith, Jr. She lived in Columbus, GA, Signal Mountain and Johnson City TN, Miami FL, Dalton, Marietta and Albany, GA before settling in Rome, GA

Rebecca is survived by her children James Robert (Bob) Johnson, Jr. (Tammy) and Jennifer Ostenson (Steve), grandchildren Evan Chumbler (Sarah), Daniel Ostenson (Ashleigh), Aidan Johnson, Drew Ostenson (Ellen), and Michael Ostenson (Rebecca), brother-in-law William E. Johnson, cousin Charlotte Czekala, and nieces and nephews: Ross Johnson, Corrie (Johnson) McDowell, Elizabeth (Johnson) Kellogg, Carrie (Smith) Brown, Virginia (Johnson) Guth, Lehmann Smith, and Bill Johnson.

Rebecca graduated from Dalton High in 1948 and attended Virginia Intermont Junior College (for girls) for a year before transferring to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga where she joined the Chi Omega sorority. Rebecca entered and won the Miss Dalton beauty pageant in 1950, earning her a spot in the Miss Georgia pageant where she performed a violin solo of “I’m in the Mood for Love”.

Upon graduation from UC (later renamed to UTC) in 1952, Rebecca began her teaching career in 2nd grade at Highland Street School in Albany, GA. She attended the University of North Carolina to gain a North Carolina teaching certificate during the summer of 1954, only to be waitlisted upon applying for a teaching position. While awaiting the next application term, she chose to be near her parents in Dalton by selecting Rome as her teaching destination and was assigned to teach third grade at East Rome Elementary.

Rebecca became involved at First Baptist Church in Rome where she was introduced to her future husband on a blind date in the fall of 1955. On their first date, she felt a strong sense of leading from the Holy Spirit that Bob was THE ONE. They continued to date and married on February 23, 1957 in Dalton before making their home in Rome, GA. Rebecca never moved to North Carolina.

Rebecca was active in West Rome Baptist Church from 1970-2007, and after Bob’s death, she joined Fifth Avenue Baptist and then Parkview Baptist in Summerville Park. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church. In her various church communities, Rebecca taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and found long-term friends and fellowship.

Rebecca had a love for homemaking, gardening, music and conservative causes. She was a sustaining member of the Rome Junior Service League and a violinist and sustaining member in the Rome Symphony Orchestra.

Rebecca expressed her faith openly to many she encountered by sharing 2 Bible verses known as her “mantra”: John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” and Acts 4:12 – And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Our family would like to express gratitude for the wonderful care Rebecca received from her caregivers at Right At Home and her Comfort Care from Heyman Hospice.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Daniel’s Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Rome. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following organizations:

First Presbyterian Church – 101 E. 3rd Ave., Rome, GA 30161

Haven Health Center – 311 Redmond Road, Rome, GA 30165

Rejoice Radio – www.rejoice.org