Carolyn Frances Johnson

Carolyn graduated from Parsons High School in 1968. She graduated with honors from Pittsburg State University in 1972, earning a BA degree in elementary education. She taught for five years in elementary schools in Arma, Kansas, and Olathe, Kansas. She married Chris Johnson on May 19, 1973. They met and dated during college. To this union were born three sons. Chris and Carolyn celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.

Carolyn was a woman of strong faith and devotion to family and friends. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith. She was a loving and doting “Nana” to her seven grandchildren. She was patient, kind, and always generous with her love, time, and care. Carolyn was an avid reader and knowledge seeker. Her hobby was sewing and quilting, using her talent and creativity to make handcrafted gifts for family and friends. Her sons fondly recall her making their Halloween costumes as well as handmade snowmen at Christmas time. They remember her as an amazing mother, friend, teacher, science fair project helper, and collaborator. She instilled a sense of family togetherness, wonderment and adventure in her sons that each strives to carry on.

Carolyn’s closest friends say they felt blessed with her friendship and describe her as a “pure soul” with quiet confidence and strength.

A true adventure seeker since her childhood days taking road trips with her parents, Carolyn loved to travel with Chris, family members, and friends to new destinations across the country, especially to Colorado and to national parks. Her last vacation trip was to New England, Niagara Falls, and Montreal, Canada, last fall. Before returning home, she made sure they stopped at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to view the Beatles exhibit and check it off her bucket list.

Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, her brother Marshall L. Sage, and sister Connie Sage. Survivors include her husband, Chris; son Kyle Johnson and his wife Jaclyn, and granddaughters Clara and Charlotte, Overland Park, Kansas; son Cory Johnson and wife Veronica, and grandchildren Luke, Signe and Thomas, Alma, Arkansas; and son Brett Johnson and wife Maggie, and grandchildren Everett and Elise, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Carolyn is also lovingly remembered by cousins, nieces and nephews, and her Johnson in-laws.

A visitation is scheduled Sunday, March 17, 2-4 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 18, 10 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hobson Preschool, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 116 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the School of Education at Pittsburg State University, 1701 South Broadway Street, 115 Hughes Hall, Pittsburg, KS 66762.