Ira Elizabeth Johnson

December 4, 2019 in Austin, Texas with her husband by her side.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Orlando Ray “Ray” and Etoile Hall Smith and the middle of seven

children. She grew up during the depression surrounded by family who stressed education and

faith to give hope over despair and appreciation of blessings over jealousy. Bittersweet and

sometimes difficult times forged in Elizabeth a strength and passion to help others. Sports and

athletics provided confidence and a release for her high energy. Her family sometimes called

her their little brown sparrow because she could not sit still as a child.

She met her husband Roland H. Johnson, Jr. at a Baptist Retreat in Ridgecrest, North Carolina

and they married August 1949 in Galveston after he graduated from Texas A&M. After a

weekend honeymoon in the Galvez they drove to Harper, Texas in a rented car to start their

careers as a newly married couple and public school teachers. Thus began a life together rich in

family, friends, adventure and travel. They were blessed with five children over the next eleven

years and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past August.

They lived in Germany from 1951-1954 where Roland was stationed with the US Army during

the Cold War. They then lived briefly in Killeen before moving to Austin where they settled and

their last child was born. Mother returned to teaching when her youngest child was kindergarten

age. She taught American History at University Junior High which became Martin JH, Lamar JH,

Anderson High School and retired from McCallum HS in Austin. She was an honored and

passionate public school teacher who believed that learning was a life skill that requires reading,

critical thinking and the willingness to research ideas and “facts”. She assigned research papers

(before the internet was popular) and she spent many a holiday grading essays on content and

presentation. She could not resist the grammatical edits. She believed and taught that

understanding history was critical to avoid repeating mistakes. During her busy teaching career

she managed to raise (and school) five children, run a household and to obtain her Masters of

Education from Southwest Texas University. She was active in her church.

She loved the summertime when she and Roland were able to travel to visit her family in

Mississippi. They also enjoyed the summers they spent in Colorado on their beloved mountain

where they entertained family and friends. They started to travel more when Roland retired

from AISD and the Army Reserves. They travelled the United States with her sisters and their

spouses, close church friends and later the Prime Timers of First Baptist Church. They travelled

to Germany, Turkey, New Zealand and Australia. They had wonderful educational trips with the

Travelling Aggies to places too numerous to mention.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband and best friend of 70 years Roland H. Johnson, Jr. She felt

blessed to be survived by all her 5 children with their spouses, cousin Susan (sixth child), 14

grandchildren and 12 (soon to be 13) great grandchildren with prayers and blessings for more

great grandchildren to come. She was able to speak with all her children and grandchildren in

the days prior to her death. She called her brother, nephew and others from her hospital bed

and regretted that she was just too tired to call everyone. In usual Elizabeth fashion she doled

out advice and instructions during her last few days. She quoted from Tennyson and

Wordsworth.

She leaves behind to mourn her passing and celebrate her life her husband Roland H Johnson,

Jr; her children Laura (Jodie) Guerrero, Roland Hunter (Becky) Johnson, III, Elizabeth Ann (Bill)

Hurt, William Ray (Susan) Johnson, Malcolm Randolph "Randy" (Cathy) Johnson and Susan

Lewis. Grandchildren include Andres (Elizabeth “Liz”) Guerrero, Terence Ray (Heather)

Guerrero, Elizabeth “Elisa” (Brian) Wigginton, Nevin (Marcos) Alonso, Rev. R. Hunter (Sarah)

Johnson, IV, Patrick Johnson, Dr. Christina (Brian) Fenton, Justin Hurt, Jennifer (Scotty)

Villareal, David Ray Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Michael (Jessica) Johnson, Dr. Kathleen

Elizabeth Johnson and Lauren Johnson. She is survived by her sister Bess Ann Green and

brother Rev. Billy Smith as well as numerous and nieces and nephews all of whom she holds

dear.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and staff that have cared for our mother and

especially the nursing staff of NAMC along with Dough Keenan (minster FBC) who tried to make

her last few days bearable. Mom thanks the staff of Buckner that have provided her and Dad

with loving support and dignity. She thanks the loving caretakers from Senior Minded Care have

been critical to allowing both her and Roland to age in place. Hospice Austin allowed Elizabeth

to realize her wish of being at home with her husband when death called.

Elizabeth requested a memorial service and celebration of life be held in place of a funeral.

Family and friends will gather at the Greenridge, Buckner Villas in Austin on 12/28/2019 at 10

AM with reception to follow on site.

Elizabeth has requested instead of flowers that gifts can be made to First Baptist Church Austin,

Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Buckner Foundation or the charity of your choice.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began;

So is it now that I am a man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die ! Wm. Wordsworth