Betty J. Johnson (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Betty J. Johnson, daughter of Kendall Freedland and Virginia Joanne (Purol) Compton, was born April 29, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio. She departed this life Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri at the age of seventy-three years, two months and seven days.
Betty met and married Marvin Gene Johnson, in June of 1971. They had no children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marv; and a brother, James “Jim” Kendall Compton.
Betty, or the “Ma-a-a-arvellous Betty Johnson” as she liked to introduce herself, is survived by a brother, Robert Compton; two sisters, Ruth Ann Johansen, and her husband, Kjell, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Lenore Wilson, and her husband, Gary Hinsey, of Toledo, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Toni Compton, of Centertown, Missouri; four nieces and nephews, Antrina (Johansen) Marshall, and her husband, James, Kjell Johansen, Ginny (Gallagher) Watson, and Danny Gallagher; a great-niece, Annbelle Marshall; by many dear friends, including Judith Emmich, Nancy Peregoy, Larry Nobel, Brian Stockdall, and Chris Johnston, and her group of friends that met to eat dinner every Friday night.
Betty was raised in Toledo, Ohio, and graduated from Bowsher High School. After she and Marv were married, they had a longtime business of painting, cleaning and restoring apartments. They were of the Catholic tradition of Christian faith. When they retired, they moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where Betty was a devoted homemaker and cared for Marv while he was ill the last six years of his life.
After Marv’s passing in November of 2012, Betty became a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lebanon, a Protestant tradition of the Christian faith. Betty loved her church and the congregation welcomed her with open arms. She attended regularly as her health allowed, and particularly enjoyed church suppers. She devoted many hours helping with the Shepherd’s Pack Program, sponsored by the church, to feed needy local children on weekends.
At her family’s request and in honor of Betty’s Catholic past, she did receive Last Rights from Father David Miller before passing.
Betty was a loving sister, aunt, great-aunt, and was a caring friend to many. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations to First Christian Church Shepherd's Pack Program may be made through the church or the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?