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Submitted: 9/6/14 • Approved: 9/6/14 • Last Updated: 9/9/14 • R1037246-G817093-S3
Raymond
April 27, 1923 - September 3, 1994
*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Times
Sunday, September 4, 1994
Raymond George Johnson, 71, of Springdale, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 1994, at his home. Born April 27, 1923, at Chismville, the son of John Wesley and Leona Ann Hosted Johnson, he worked 30 years as a carpenter and farmer, after moving to the area from California. He was a member of Harmon Assembly of God Church.
Survivors are his wife, Margie Ann Wilson Johnson of the home; a son, David Lee Johnson of Havana, Fla.; a daughter, Nancy Ann Marks of Houston; four sisters, Shirley Sharp and Beatrice Christopher, both of Muldrow, Okla.; Etta Gabriel of Cicero, Ill., and Evelyn Prochaska of San Leandro, Calif., and a grandson.
Service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale. Burial is in Friendship Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Margie
February 25, 1922 - March 14, 2014
*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Times
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
HOUSTON, Texas — Margie Ann Johnson, 92, was a longtime resident of Springdale, Ark., passed away Friday morning, March 14, 2014, at Cornerstone Hospital in Webster, Texas.
Margie lived in Springdale, Ark., until October 2013. Margie was especially devoted to a friend care provider from Superior Senior Care, Diane Sloane. Diane provided personal care, companionship and homemaker tasks giving Margie opportunities to stay in the home she enjoyed.
In December 2013, Margie moved to Texas to be with her daughter, Nancy "Johnson" Marks, and son-in law, David Marks.
This past month, Margie fought a long, valiant battle with pneumonia. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, love of family, friends and supporters gave her strength to fight each day.
Margie was born Feb. 25, 1922, in Clinton, Okla., to Stella and Lewis J. Wilson. She is the middle child of five children.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond Johnson; and her sister, Opal; and Margie's two brothers, Jim Wilson and Louis Wilson.
Margie is survived by one brother, Ernie Wilson of Hayward, Calif. Margie is also survived by her son, David Johnson of Florida; and grandson, Chris Johnson of Florida; and her daughter, Nancy Marks and son-in law, David Marks, of Houston, Texas.
Margie loved life. Margie grew up on a wheat farm in Western Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Coupled with the financial struggles during the Depression, Margie had her own personal struggles to overcome. At age 5, Margie battled typhoid fever, whooping cough and German measles. She lost 95 percent of her hearing, but she compensated; she learned to read lips long before she had any hearing aide device to assist her with her profound hearing loss.
In her late teens, seeking opportunity, Margie left Oklahoma and moved to Northern California. Margie worked several places in Oakland, Calif.: The Clorox Plant, the Cotton Mill, and 15 years at The Pacific Tire and Rubber Plant installing beads on tires. Margie had great pride and joy in this job.
Her seamstress, dexterous fingers had to be an asset as she quickly worked meticulously to make her installation quotas. Margie's pay grade was escalating quickly and she even received free car tires. The real perk during this time period, however, was not the employment, but Margie meeting her true love, Raymond Johnson, and marrying him in 1946 in Reno, Nev. When Raymond passed in 1994, they had been married 48 years.
My mother was overcome with serious, clinical depression after my father's death. At 77, she found a purpose to get her life back on track. Margie volunteered in the nursery at the Family Birthplace at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Ark. She loved working with the babies. Margie did this work for three years. As Margie volunteered in the nursery, holding, diapering and feeding the newborns. Margie's spirit, her life and purpose even youth began to return. The newborns were the 'medicine" to bring her out of depression. Margie was hack with the living.
In June of 1962, my parents, wanting out of the city, moved from Hayward, Calif., to Spring Valley, Ark. Margie and my father now had new jobs that came with little or no prior training or preparation. My father continued working in construction in Springdale, Ark. He worked for Sandy Boone. Mom's job, however, was all new. Margie began raising baby chickens for John Brown and milking cows for Pet Milk. She also had about 100 head of Black Angus cattle at the time.
Needless to say. we newcomers appreciated great neighbors, especially Harry and Lydia Joyner, and Kenneth and Leona Harmon, who gave us confidence, assistance and friendship. Later Margie raised chickens for Gene George and Don Tyson, respectively.
Taking care of the farm was a continual job. My mother, however, always found time for family, her faith and her hobbies. Mom made great meals. Mom loved to sew; she was, in fact, a talented seamstress. Margie. my mother, could look at a dress and make it for me. I was spoiled. She made all of my clothes until I was a high school senior. She also made my brother's and my father's shirts. She did not stop with sewing; she also made about 50 quilts and crocheted numerous other things until macular degeneration impaired her vision in each eye.
During my youth, Mom and Dad were active in the Nob Hill, Ark. Pentecostal Church. Mother made sure we were in church attire and attendance frequently. Throughout her life, Mom remained devout in her faith. My mother always wanted to be in church. She loved to hear Dr. Ed Cowan preach the word. For 20 years. Margie was an active member of Central Christian Church, Springdale, Ark. The past few years, Pastor Ed and wife, Cathy Cowan, and have ensured that Margie have church transportation when she was able to attend. Margie always knew she had the love and support of her church.
Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale, Ark.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014, at the funeral home. Pastor Dr. Ed Cowan will officiate the service. Committal service to follow at the Friendship Cemetery in Springdale, Ark.
In lieu of dowers, donations can be made to the Central Christian Church, 3264 N. 48th, Springdale, AR 72762.
Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign an online guest book.
Married October 23, 1948
Contributed on 9/6/14 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1037246