The Shreveport Times

Obituaries

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lillie Adams Johnson

Mansfield Cemetery

MANSFIELD, LA - Lillie Adams Johnson was born January 8, 1916 in Noble, Louisiana to the union of Rev. Noah D. and Virgie Adams and passed away at home in Mansfield, Louisiana, on October 28, 2008. She grew up in Montgomery, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern State University (then Louisiana State Normal College) and a Master's Degree in Library Science from Louisiana State University.

In February, 1938, she married R.U. Johnson when they were both teachers at Verda High School in Verda, Louisiana. They moved to Mansfield in 1945 and Mrs. Johnson began a teaching career at Mansfield High School which lasted until the mid 1970's. At various times, she taught English and Civics, but is best remembered as the School Librarian. In the latter years of her career, she taught at DeSoto High School, then served as a Supervising Teacher for DeSoto Parish School Board. After retiring from the public schools, she taught for two years at Central Elementary in Grand Cane.

She was an active member of and an officer in the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Society for Women Educators. For many years, continuing up until her final illness, she was a Sunday School Teacher at the First Baptist Church in Mansfield. She was an accomplished storyteller for children and adults and as long as her health allowed practiced that art in Vacation Bible School each summer.

Preceding Mrs. Johnson in death were two sisters, Irene Dowty and Margarette Doxey, and her twin brother Leslie Adams.

She is survived by her husband, R.U. Johnson of Mansfield; a son, Larry D. Johnson and wife, Lisa, of Monroe; four grandchildren; Tara Palmer and her husband Keith of McKinney, Texas, Jason Johnson of Tyler, Texas, Jamie Walker and her husband James of West Monroe, and Joshua Johnson of Mansfield.

Other survivors are four great-grandchildren, Troy and Mitchell Palmer, and Lily and Matthew Walker; three siblings, N.T. Adams and his wife Opal of Shreveport, Lois Webb and her husband P.V. of Shreveport, and Bethel Rees of Richardson, Texas and a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM, and the services at First Baptist Church in Mansfield on, Friday, October 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM under the direction of Rev. Thumper Miller. Burial will follow at Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, LA. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 1710 McArthur Dr. Mansfield, LA 71052, (318) 872-1185. Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Mansfield Chapel 318-872-4660