On February 16, 1934, Lyla Jane Johnson was born in Kingman, Kansas, to Lyle E. Cellan and Helen Jane Oakley Cellan. Immediately after her birth, the family relocated to near Cherokee, Oklahoma, to live with her Grandpa and Grandma Cellan, where her sister Marie was born 11 months later. Shortly after Marie’s birth, her father took a job in the oilfield near Pratt, Kansas. On the move constantly, the family lived in numerous towns west of Wichita, KS, until finally moving to Gainesville, TX, when Jane was 6. Because Gainesville didn’t have a kindergarten, both girls started first grade and would continue through school together all the way to graduation. While living in Wyoming, Jane’s dad was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II, and Helen and the 2 girls returned to Cherokee to live with family. When the war was over, the family moved back to Gainesville, and starting in Junior High, would live in a new town nearly every year through Jane’s Senior year of High School. Eventually landing in Oklahoma City, Jane graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1952.
The day after graduation, Jane began working at Tinker Air Force Base, where she would spend the next 9 years working in the Base typing pool. Jane soon met John Doyle Johnson and very quickly fell in love. They were married on July 2, 1954 and settled in Midwest City. John D. and Jane both loved children, and on February 2, 1964, brought John Robert into their home. Linda Jane would become a part of the family on February 8, 1968. Soon after, the family moved to south of McLoud. Jane would become a dedicated, full-time homemaker, and eventually would return to work as a parts manager at Tinker AFB in 1982.
Jane and John D. loved both God and their children deeply. Jane was a member of both the McLoud First United Methodist and later the Shawnee First Church of God. For almost 40 years, Jane taught children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was affectionately known as Miss Jane to generations of children. She also served as a member and Chairwoman of the Christian Board of Education and the Mission Board. She was active in the McLoud Elementary PTA, serving as both President and Secretary/Treasurer. Jane and John D. were constantly active in their kid’s lives, spending many nights and weekends at county and state fairs, attending basketball games, ministering to those around them, and attending numerous revivals. Jane would later attend both the Meeker First United Methodist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee.
Jane died peacefully on January 29th, 2019 in the presence of family, worshiping her Lord and Savior one final time in her earthly body before going Home. Jane is preceded in death by both parents, her in-laws and her husband, John D. She is survived by sister Rose Marie Force and husband Richard of Houston, TX, and sister-in-law Pinkie Hoover and husband Randy of Forth Worth, TX. She is also survived by son John Johnson and wife Julie of Meeker, and daughter Linda Porter and husband Monty of Shawnee. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren, including Brently Abilez and wife April, Ryan Abilez, Cody Johnson, Erin Johnson, Megan Johnson, Max Porter, and Alex Porter, as well as one great-grandson, Carter Abilez. Others include many nieces, nephews and friends. To celebrate Jane’s life, a memorial service will be held at 10 AM, on February 5, at Wesley UMC with internment at Rest Haven Cemetery. The family wants to thank the staffs and healthcare professionals of Avonlea Cottage, Carter Home Healthcare, and Colonial Manor Nursing Home for the loving care they showed Jane in her final years.
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