Mildred B. (Jo) Johnson

Mildred B. (Jo) Johnson, age 91, of Gatesville, completed her journey through this mortal world and went home to be with her departed family in the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00am Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville with her Grandson-in-Law, Pastor Sam Roberts officiating. Graveside services will follow at Restland Cemetery, Gatesville. Her departing will be serenaded by her Granddaughters Tami Blais, Jennifer Honea, Teri Miller, Jayme Roberts, and Jessica Cash; and by her Great-Granddaughters, Sarah Honea, Autumn and Eliza Miller, and Stephanie Blais. They will be accompanied by her Daughter-in-law Pat Johnson on the piano and her Great-Grandson Caleb Miller on the guitar. She will be carried to rest by her Grandsons, Travis Johnson, Rob Johnson, Jeffrey and Tim Cowen; and her Great-Grandsons, Caleb Miller, Rob and Ryan Blais, and Jonathon and Jacob Honea. Mildred B. Johnson was born February 17th, 1922 on the family farm near Miller Creek in Blanco County, Texas, to Sophia Otilia Harsch and Emil George Fuchs, the ninth of ten children. In early childhood she acquired the nickname “Jo”, a name she much preferred to Mildred and by which she was known to friends and family alike for the remainder of her life. She grew up in Blanco County and on September 1, 1941 married Lee Roy Johnson, the seventh of eight children born to Maggie Annice Felps and Clarence M. Johnson. They moved to Gatesville in 1950, where Lee Roy was employed at what is now known as the MATES facility at North Fort Hood until his retirement in 1980. In 1958 they purchased and moved on to their ranch on FM107, where they both resided until their deaths. Jo lived her life as a faithful wife, loving Mother and industrious homemaker. She was a prolific gardener, a great cook, and a hard working ranch hand all rolled into one. Following her husband’s retirement, they enjoyed many years of RV travel throughout North America, often traveling with other family members and with the local Escapees RV club. They were long time faithful members of the Live Oak Baptist Church, contributing regularly and serving in a variety of capacities. She loved being out of doors at her ranch home and collecting owl knick-knacks. Her owl collection ran to the hundreds of all varieties and types from all over the world, collected from her travels and given to her as gifts by her family and her many good friends. She was extremely proud of her many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren and her home was filled with their photos. Jo was fiercely independent. Following her husband’s death in 1997 she lived alone at her home on the ranch up until the last couple months of her life. She was a regular volunteer at the Gatesville Care Center, contributing many hours of volunteer work until her failing health made it no longer possible. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, all nine of her siblings, her husband, Lee Roy, and all seven of his siblings. One of her most difficult burdens in life was being “the last of the Mohicans”. She leaves to celebrate her life a daughter, Perry Lynn Cowen and husband Carl, of Brownwood; two sons, Troy K. Johnson and wife Pat of Austin and Roy Newell Johnson and wife Jan of Gatesville; nine Grandchildren; and twenty-eight Great-Grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be made to Live Oak Baptist Church, 113 FM 107, Gatesville, TX 76528 or Gatesville Care Center, 105 N. 7th St., Gatesville, TX 76528. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people at Coryell Memorial Hospital, Bluebonnet Health Services Hospice and Visiting Angels. Their professional care and compassion during her last days significantly eased her transition from this world to the next.