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https://www.flipsnack.com/alcbf/barbara-johnson.html Barbara was born to Flenix Lee and Deborah Price Lee on December 12, 1939 in Austin, Texas. She was the third child born to this union. Barbara was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church, Ironton, Ohio in April 1953. In June 1953, the family moved back to Austin where she united with Olivet Baptist Church. She was an active member in Olivet for many years and she has served in various leadership roles. She helped Mrs. Rosalie Wicks to organize the Inspirational Choir and served as the first president; she was a teacher and a secretary of Nurture for Baptist and the Women’s Ministry. She was a member for many years in the Phoebe Circle and then a member of the Hannah Circle, where she served as past leader for several years. Mother Johnson attended Sunday School, Nurture for Baptist (formerly known as Baptist Training Union), Prayer and Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and most of Olivet’s annual celebrations. Also, she served as a volunteer Assistant Secretary under Brenda Johnson and volunteered at the Olivet Helping Hands Center. Sister Johnson was selected to become a Mother of Olivet, where she served until her death. Mother Johnson is following big shoes, as a Mother of Olivet, for her great-grandmother Samantha Duncan was the first Mother of Olivet in 1948, and her mother Deborah Price Whitley was a Mother of Olivet from 1982 until her death in July 1998. Barbara’s early education began at Holy Cross Catholic School. She later attended the Rosewood Elementary School before moving to Ohio. When her family returned to Austin, she attended Old LC Anderson High School and Peoples Business College where she learned clerking. Barbara has an Associate Secretarial Science Degree from Durham and Nixon-Clay Business Colleges and a Data Processing Associate Degree from University of Texas – Adult Program Studies. After her children grew up and she was empty nested, she attended Austin Community College where she was pursuing an Associate in Arts Degree in Psychology until her mother’s health started failing and she needed to take care of her. Barbara was selected to be on the cover of the ACC Course Catalog representing older attending students. Barbara’s career includes breaking ground in the 1970’s in direct sales to become a Manager in Tupperware Corporation earning vehicle status, over ten years in management as Head-of-Sales for J.C. Penney’s Men’s Department, Executive Secretary at the Builders Association, and entrepreneur with husband in Johnson Home Improvements company until his sudden death in October 2001. At the urging of her granddaughter Jarian, Barbara started as independent owner of BJ’s In-Home Little People Daycare. She retired the business after eleven years of successfully inspiring, educating, and loving the children in her care. Barbara was a fashion model for over 20 years for Yarings Department Store and Lillie Rubin (couture lines only), J.C. Penney’s Department Store, and local fashion designers. She loved her hats and wouldn’t go to church without one. She loved hats so much she became a hat vendor. In 1988, she joined the Alpha Kappa Sigma of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Philo Affiliates local chapter where she served a president from 1990 to 1994 and from 1996 to 1998. She also served as president of the Southwest Regional Philo Affiliates from 1992 to 1996. Barbara received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards, and recognitions from employers, non-profit organizations, social clubs, and the Austin community for her participation, volunteer service, and leadership. Especially, being commissioned Yellow Rose of Texas by Governor Mark White on January 11, 1984 and being recognized by Top Ladies of Distinction Salute to Senior Citizens in 2019. Barbara’s volunteer work includes Voters Registration, Texas Youth Commission, and Crime Stoppers. She was on the Board of American Cancer Society for 2 years, as Lead Advocate for Tell-A-Friend Campaign. Barbara served on the Travis County Grand Jury, as the secretary. She was so proud to serve on the grand jury and found the experience rewarding. Barbara loved playing Bridge. She was a member of three bridge clubs: I Bid A Club, Sunday Bunch, and Austin-Travis County Duplicate Bridge Club (ATCDBC); she has been the secretary for ATCDBC. She loved flying or driving to places to play bridge. She also loved going on cruises to play bridge or to cruise just for fun. There were times when Barbara played bridge three times in one day – at breakfast party bridge, brunch/lunch bridge game, and/or in the evening. That’s a true bridge lover! Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Deborah Price Whitley and Flenix Lee, step-father Minister John W. Whitley, siblings Margo Traylor-Davenport, Charles L. Lee and Oscar R. Lee, husband Vernest Johnson, daughter Sheryl Lynn Arnold-Love, and sons Marvan W. Arnold, Jr. and RoNald B. Lee. Also, sons Billy Johnson and Donnie Johnson. Ex-husbands Marvan W. Arnold, Sr. and Herbert King. Barbara leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Debora D. “Debbie” Arnold-Mack, Round Rock, Texas; Yu Vonda D. Arnold-Galloway (James) Pflugerville, Texas; a son John H. King (Cynthia), Chandler, Arizona and fur-son Bandit Snuggles Johnson. Adopted son Pastor J. Carl Jarmon (Mary), Los Angeles, California, and adopted daughter Mishown L. Franklin, Austin, Texas; and her extended children, George Arnold (Tamika), Manor, Texas; Veronica Arnold, Austin, Texas, Margaret “Renee” Berry, Austin, Texas and Marchelle Currie (E-Thelwood), Pflugerville, Texas. Also, son Kenneth Johnson, San Antonio, TX, son-in-law Robert Love, Austin, Texas and daughter-in-law Myra Thomas (David), Live Oak, Texas, ex-daughter-in-laws Regina Lee, Baltimore MA, Bridget Ramzah, Austin TX, Pamela Lee, Goldsboro, NC, and mostly Denise Norwood-Blocker, Houston TX. In addition, thirteen grandchildren, fourteen extended grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and eight extended great-grandchildren. Her very wonderful sister-in-law Frankie D. Lee. Her favorite cousin who was more like a sister than a cousin, Jean Esther James, who is the oldest 😊. Special niece and nephew Grace and Deacon Ken Davis, brother-in-law Ernest Johnson and Aunt Alice Price. Brother-in-laws always George Arnold (Betty) and Charles “Chappa” Arnold (Vera). Her two long time close friends Lola Hawkins Ford and Marie Compton. All her Bridge friends, especially bridge partner Deborah Gardner. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Barbara Delores Johnson

December 12, 1939 - July 20, 2021