  Fern L. Smith Johnson 18 October 1924 - 26 November 2019 Phillip Johnson 22 July 1922 - 21 September 2009 wed 26 January 1947 Children: Phyllis Johnson Thornton   Phillip Johnson 22 July 1922 - 21 September 2009 PFC US Marine Corps WWII  Herald Democrat September 23, 2009 HOWE - Funeral services for Phillip Johnson were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Howe Church of Christ. Toby Soechting of the church officiated. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps will be held at Akers Cemetery. Phillip went to be with his Father in Heaven and left his earthly shell with its pain and heartache on September 21, 2009. Phillip began his earthly life on July 22, 1922 in Albany, Oklahoma, born to Lydia Adelia and Alonzo Henry Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 sisters, Minnie Jewel (Johnnie) Thomas, Mildred Boone, and Ruth Johnson. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 62 years and 8 months, Fern L. Johnson of the home; daughter, Phyllis Thornton; grandchildren, Justin G. Thornton and Jennifer D. Thornton; and 2 great-grandchildren, Katrina and Alyssa, all of Edmond, Okla. Phillip served his country as a Marine during World War II. His duty carried him through most of the Pacific Theater, including the battle of Okinawa. After the war, Phillip returned to Sherman and married his longtime sweetheart, Fern Smith on January 26, 1947. After the wedding, Fern and Phillip attended North Texas State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Austin College. Phillip graduated from Austin College in 1952. During this time, Fern and Phillip's daughter was born. Phillip worked for Sherman Manufacturing Co. as well as many other places to support his family while attending Austin College. Upon graduation, he was hired by Texas Seismograph Co. and subsequently Rayflex Oil Exploration Co. where he worked as their chief computer. The family lived in six states and many towns in those states during the five years he was so employed. In 1957, Phillip and Fern began teaching school. They taught 2-1/2 years in Texas and then 16 years in Yuma, Arizona. In the summers and also during a sabbatical from Arizona, they attended East Texas State University (now TAMU at Commerce). Phillip earned a master's degree and completed all the course work for a doctorate in biology. He worked on his doctorate while holding a teaching fellowship. While living in Arizona, Phillip raised quarter horses as a hobby and enjoyed riding horses with his daughter. Fern and Phillip gave Phyllis this support in enjoying something she had always dreamed of doing. Phillip and Fern retired from teaching in 1977 to work a farm they had purchased near Howe. They raised cattle and grew wheat, corn, and milo. In 1987, Phillip and Fern moved to the Florida Keys and lived there off and on for seven years. Phil was fond of fishing, swimming, and boating and the Keys made a perfect playground. He really enjoyed catching dolphin, sailfish, yellowtail, etc. Phillip and Fern returned to their home in Howe in 2001 and remained there until he succumbed to the ravages of time and peripheral artery disease. While Phillip was attending Austin College in the 1950s, he declared his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the remission of his sins. He continued to walk in the light of his faith in God, Jesus, and the Spirit through out his life. His family looks forward with the hope that is ours through our Lord, Jesus Christ, to the day we will be reunited to live together forever with God, our Father. Memorials may be made to the Boles Children's Home at 7065 Love, Quinlan, Texas 75474.  Funeral services for Fern Johnson were held Saturday morning, November 30, 2019 at Waldo Funeral Home. Burial followed at Akers Cemetery. Fern L. Smith Johnson of Howe, Texas passed on to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on November 26, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Philip Johnson; her mother, Dell Roan Smith; her daddy, Owen W. Smith; and her uncle, Glenn Amos Roan; also her brother and sister-in-law, Dwight and Margie Smith; and her niece, Margo Smith, all of Sherman, Tom Bean and Howe area. She was just a month past her 95th birthday. Fern is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Michael C. Thornton; her granddaughter, Jennifer D. Thornton; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Justin G. and Heather A. Thornton; and her 2 beautiful great-granddaughters, Katrina Adell Thorton and Allyssa Rose Thornton. Fern is also survived by her niece, Sherilynn Smith and husband, Reginald B. Smith and their wonderful children and families; and likewise, by Margo's wonderful children and families. She is survived by niece Roxanne Smith. Fern taught school for 17 years, primarily in Arizona. She earned her BA and MS degrees in Biology and held a teaching fellowship while working on her doctorate finishing all but her dissertation at Texas A&M, Commerce, Texas. Fern also attended Abilene Christian, Austin College, North Texas State and some others. Basically, all the time she could take courses on her degrees she would. Fern had 2 stillborn daughters in 1952 and 1960, respectively. She had Rh Neg blood while Phillip had Rh Pos blood. Her body rejected the babies in utero. She often spoke of how fortunate mothers are now because of the development of RhoGAM some years after it would have done her any good. This is one reason she chose to study biology in college. In addition to teaching, Fern waited tables, did secretarial work, was a fulltime homemaker, farmed and raised cattle. She was a hard worker; no job was below or above her. If something needed doing, you rolled up your sleeves and got at it. Fern loved God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Believer baptized at the age of 8, she lived her life happy and secure in His love, obeying His Commandments to the very best of her abilities. Fern Johnson was the best mother any girl could ever want. I was very fortunate to have had her as mine.  Infant Daughter of Fern & Phillip Johnson 28 Sepbember 1953 Akers Cemetery Copyright © 2024, TXGenWeb. If you find any of Grayson County, TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |