Violette Johnson

A well known citizen of Bryant, Violette Brown Johnson died at Saline Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice. Violette was the daughter of John H. Brown pioneering family of Bryant. She attended school in Bryant and graduated from Benton High School at the age of 16. She began teaching at Greyhill (Pulaski County) that fall in a one-room schoolhouse with students older than she. On May 21, 1937, she married John C. Johnson, a widower with an infant daughter, Patricia Johnson. They later had twin sons, one dying at birth. After living out of state several years, they moved back to Bryant where she taught school until 1948. Mrs. Johnson then transferred to the Bauxite School System (Pine Haven) where she taught, was principal, and retired in the 1970's. Afterwards she taught G.E.D. classes for years.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Pulaski County on May 9, 1915. She had seven siblings. After marrying and moving back to Bryant she became very involved with her church-The First Bryant Methodist Church. She began the first adult class in 1942 and taught it for over 50 years. It is called the Violette Johnson Sunday School Class.

Besides her church work she was also interested in reading, art, traveling, and education. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gama, Bryant Study Club, Monday Study Club, Lifetime Member of Retired Teachers, and was awarded a Life Time Membership of Bauxite P.T.A. She and her friend Mabel Boswell began a community library in the church. She was also selected to receive the Benton/Bauxite Achievement Award of Saline County on Feb. 27, 1978.

Mrs. Johnson received her B.S.E. and M.S.E. Degrees from Arkansas State Teachers College (U.C.A.)

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Berlie Brown, husband, John Clark Johnson, brother Hiram Brown, sisters Edna McMoran and Dorothy Williams, and infant son Lawrence Johnson.

She is survived by her son Gerald Johnson (Brenda) of Benton and daughter Patricia Guthrie (Phil) of Bryant. Her surviving siblings are Wesley Brown (Noma) of Bryant, Raymond Harold Brown (Noma) of Bryant, Doris Weise of Benton, and Willene Deaton (V.J.) of Salem. Her survivors also include grandchildren John P. Johnson (Kim) of Bryant, Brad Guthrie of Oregon, Leigh Overbey (John) of Bryant, Jay P. Johnson (Donna) of Benton. Her surviving great-grandchildren are Kelsey John of Benton and Daphne Overbey and step-greatgrandchildren are Mary Jordyn Mitchell of Benton, Kelsey and Michael Harrison of New Orleans and Amanda Harrison of Bryant and a host of friends.

The funeral was at the Bryant Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with Dr. Russell Moore and Rev. Mary Hoey officiating.

Pallbearers were Jeff Clements, John Deaton, David Weise, Bill McMoran, Hal Brown and Scott Ritchey. Honorary pallbearers were the Violette Johnson Sunday School Class.

The Family would like to thank Dr. Hill, Dr. Hatch, Dr. Lorio, our loved one's wonderful caregivers and her many friends for their love, help and support.

Arrangements were by Ashby Funeral Home of Benton.