Lee Earl Richard Johnson was born October 27, 1933 to the parentage of Ardie Earl and Rosie Lee (Tarlton) Richard.
She accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Fairfield Baptist Church.
Lee Earl received her formative education at the Dogan School and was Valedictorian of the 1951 graduating class.
She continued her education at Mary Allen College in Crockett, TX where she graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in May 1955. She extended her studies through post graduate work in Library Science at Baylor University, in Special Education at Sam Houston State University, and in Counseling and Guidance at Prairie View A&M.
Lee Earl met Edward Johnson, Sr. in 1950 and on October 22, 1955, they married in the home of her parents in Fairfield, TX. On July 20, 1959 she and her husband Edward, welcomed their first child, Edward Johnson, Jr.
Nearly 10 years later, April 27, 1969, they were blessed by the arrival of their second son, Randall Lee Johnson.
Mrs. Johnson began her career in education upon accepting her first teaching assignment at the Dogan School in October of 1955 where she taught high school Social Studies. With the integration of public schools in Texas in 1968, the Dogan School merged with Fairfield High School and Mrs. Johnson was reassigned to work in the library.
After the birth of her second son, she was not offered a contract and was unable to return to Fairfield ISD. She began working as a counselor in Butler from 1970 to 1973.
In 1973, the Butler and Fairfield School Districts integrated and she then returned closer to home to continue teaching as a 3rd Grade teacher at the Fairfield Elementary School. In the Mid-1970s, in addition to her elementary teaching assignment she also taught English as a Second Language night courses for 9 years at Fairfield High School, along with Adult Education Classes.
After 40 years of teaching, Lee Earl decided to retire. She remained active in the Fairfield and Freestone County community by volunteering at the Fairfield Public Library.
She worked with Child Protective Services, as a board member helping to place children in foster homes. She was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association, and the Freestone County Historical Society, as well as serving on the Advisory Board of the Freestone County Sheriff’s Department.
Lee Earl was a faithful member of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church for 64 years where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Choir member, Communion Stewardess, Fairfield United Methodist Cemetery Committee, Chairman of the Charity Committee, Chairman of Evangelism Committee, Chairman of the Nominations Committee for Jones Chapel United Methodist Women’s Membership, and served for 9 years on the United Methodist Women’s Membership Board of the Palestine District.
In 2003, Edward and Lee Earl were honored for over a combined 85 years of service to the Fairfield schools and community when the Fairfield Independent School Board elected to ascribe their names to the newly constructed Fairfield High School “Johnson Activity Center”.
As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she lived to cherish family above all else. As Proverbs 31:29-30 says “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ardie and Rosie Richard, as well as her husband, Edward Johnson, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory, Sons: Edward Johnson, Jr. (Barbara) Richmond, TX, and Randall Lee Johnson (Karen) Fairfield, TX: Brother-in-law: Lawrence A. Foster, Sr., San Antonio, TX: Grandchildren: Elisia Johnson Taylor (Christopher) Rosenberg, TX, Karneisha Johnson Wharton (Ian) Richmond, TX, and Virginia Johnson, Houston, TX; Anthony McHenry, Caitlyn McHenry and Sarah McHenry all of Fairfield, TX; Great Granddaughters: Emerson Taylor and Ellison Taylor (Rosenberg, TX); God Grandson: Darrell Houston, Jr. (Fairfield, TX), beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and a host of family and friends.
Visitation will be 6-7 pm, followed by a memorial service on Friday, June 28, 2019, at Jones Chapel United Methodist Church (360 Church St, Fairfield, TX 75840).
Viewing will be 10-11 am, followed by the funeral service beginning at 11 am on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at the Johnson Activity Center, located at Fairfield High School (615 Post Oak Rd, Fairfield, TX 75840).
Arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, Teague, Texas.
