Rachel Renee Johnson

She was a lifelong resident of Nacogdoches graduating from Nacogdoches High School in 1982 and attended Stephen F. Austin where she obtained her BA in Business Administration and MS in Education. She was married on January 8, 1983 to her childhood sweetheart, Barrion Johnson and from this union they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Tikiya Johnson, 27 years old and Jaleesa Johnson, 22 years old.

She was a proud mother and devoted her life to her daughters and to her husband. Her passion in life was educating others and she quickly advanced in her career. She started her journey as an educator in Tenaha, TX and later taught at Thomas J. Rusk Middle School in Nacogdoches. She started her principal career as an Assistant Principal at a Henderson Middle School, later becoming principal of the Central Elementary School in Henderson, TX. She then returned to Nacogdoches ISD serving five years as principal at Carpenter Elementary and has been principal of Brooks Quinn Jones for the past nine years. She could be described as a “workaholic” as she loved her school, doing all she could for the students and faculty members.

Her life was a direct reflection of her relationship with God and His light shined through her. She was a member of Faith Temple Church of God and Christ on Sweetgum Street in Nacogdoches.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband of 30 years, Barrion Johnson of Nacogdoches; daughters, Jaleesa Johnson of DeSoto and Tikiya Johnson of Nacogdoches; mother, Earlee Murphy of Nacgodoches and father O.A Murphy of Nacogdoches; sister, Shelia(Kevin) Davis of Nacogdoches and brothers T’Challa(Wanda), Jinski, and Otis Murphy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services are set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012, at First Baptist Church, located at 411 North Street in Nacogdoches. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 14, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches.

The family would like to give special thanks to Patricia "Trish" Sanders, Ivy Wingard, Livia Pierce and Accolade Hospice and First Baptist Church.

Memorials may be offered to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502-1848.

Online condolences and memories may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.