Dorothy Jewel Johnson

Dorothy Batie Johnson was born on April 25, 1923 in Nashville, Tennessee to Samuel Calvin and Martha Mae (Mattie) Batie and passed away on January 22, 2022. She was also known to many as Grandma, Grandmother, Gigi, or Mama Dorothy. At the age of 3 her family moved to Clarksville, Tennessee where she spent her childhood across the street from a beautiful cemetery where her father served as superintendent. Mom could talk hours about her upbringing with her siblings and loving parents. Her mother was a strong believer in the power of prayer which was instilled in Mom. So as her family in our hour of need or thanks she would often respond with “ We just need to pray about that”. That was her anchor and her family’s anchor until the end of her life. Mother Graduated from Clarksville High School and to her high school was wonderful because she met and attended school with her life mate, Howard Thomas Johnson. They were married on November 28, 1941 in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Their marriage lasted for 58 years until the passing of Dad in 1999.

They left Clarksville after Dad’s service in World War II, to live in Athens, Georgia for Dad to attend and play football and Baseball at the University of Georgia. This was just the beginning of a life for Mom of raising children and being a supportive spouse. She enjoyed reading, cooking, crocheting and entertaining the many friends they made and spent time with over the years. She had an incredible love for music and so often had music playing in the house which she would sing along with in her beautiful voice. It was just not acceptable or in mom’s nature to pass an antique shop or garage sale because you never knew what treasure you would find or “might need”. She managed to instill that “bug” in several of us. As children our friends were always welcome for a visit or a good meal. She took pride and delight in serving big meals in Stillwater on a game day for Oklahoma State University Football. There were not many childhood events of ours that she missed, whether it was a sports event, a dance recital, music performance or special awards ceremony. The amount of carpooling for us and our friends was a full-time job and she enjoyed every minute of those trips. Her last big crocheting project was to crochet her children and their families beautiful Christmas tree skirts.

She is preceded in death by her husband, oldest son Howard Thomas “Tommy” Jr., her parents and her five siblings. She is survived by her son Ronnie Johnson and Irene of Pearland, Texas; Daughters Judy and Tom Gallaher of Moore, Oklahoma; and Dorothy Ann and Rick Murnan of Norman, Oklahoma and her daughter-in-law Carol Johnson of Moore, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren Brea Murnan Teas and husband John of Blanchard, Oklahoma; Codee Murnan Becknel and husband Kenneth of Norman, Oklahoma; Matt and wife Amy Johnson of Manvel, Texas; Kim Johnson Eads and husband John of Houston, Texas; and Bo Johnson and wife Andrea of McMinnville, Texas.

Mother was so proud of the many blessings that she lived to enjoy which included the birth of her great grandchildren Makenzie Murnan and Riley Murnan Teas, Britany Richlie and husband Javan and Kenlee Becknel, John Thomas and Andrew Eads, Carmella Johnson (Matt and Amy) ; and Murphie, Barrett, Dane and Harper Johnson (Bo and Andrea). And most amazing to her was the birth of her great –great granddaughters Annalee and Oaklee Richlie.

The family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to her great granddaughter Makenzie Murnan who was her companion for the last months she spent at home. Donations may be made to a long-time love of hers, St. Jude’s Hospital.

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