Jane Elaine Johnson's Obituary
Jane Elaine Johnson, affectionately known as "Goosey," passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at the age of 80, surrounded by her loving family in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jane was born on March 16, 1944, in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Henry K. Warford and Lela F. Warford. She graduated from Vinita High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Jane worked as an elementary school teacher at Haskell and Macomb Public Schools and later transitioned to a career in Accounting with the Williams Companies. She spent her childhood in Vinita, OK, before eventually settling in Tulsa, OK. On March 17th, 2005, Jane married the love of her life, Robert L. Johnson in Tulsa.
She enjoyed watching University of Oklahoma (OU) football games with her husband and engaging with the wildlife in her backyard. She loved Seinfeld humor and frequently laughed with her daughters, sharing jokes decades old. Mom always told her daughters, with a chuckle, “I’ve known you practically all your life”. She frequently quoted her parents and honored them by speaking of them positively and with grace. She loved people and demonstrated interest in others everywhere she went; Mom was easy to talk to, and genuine, and others could see that whether it was in line at the store or with her friends. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would do anything for anyone; she had great empathy for others and frequently shared her gratitude for God and for all blessings with anyone needing inspiration. She prayed with others and helped them restore hope. She looked for the positive in people and was gracious and kind to everyone she encountered. Mom was the true definition of a “lady”.
Jane is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Lela Warford; her sister, Carolyn Logan, and brother-in-law, Dan Logan; and her daughter, Kelli L. Duke.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert L. Johnson; her daughter Laurie Hesson and her husband Jason Chambliss; stepson Kristopher Johnson; stepdaughter Marilyn Johnson; son-in-law Henry Duke; her grandchildren, Jarrod & Kelsey Pitchford, Derek & Natasha Duke, Allison Pitts & Dock Melton, Justin Duke, Robin Duke, and John Duke; and her great-grandchildren, Paxton, Jace, River, and Jersey Pitchford, Murphy and Atticus
Melton, Zachary & Breyanna VanPatten, Kylee Cuenca, Lydia Mathis, Kaizer, Jazial, and Liam Duke. She is also survived by her nieces, Linda and Laura; nephew, Danny; and special friends, Don and Robbie Essary.
Mama always said of her husband, Robert, “I love his voice” and lit up whenever he came in the room. He provided her with a lovely home and took care of her when she began struggling. Mama was heavily influenced by her Daddy, Henry Warford. He frequently took her on excursions looking for arrowheads or bird watching, showed her unconditional love and high regard and taught her the importance of courtesy to other people by his own demonstration of helping others when he owned Henry’s Grocery. Her Mama, Lela, taught her the importance of service to others, patience and kindness. Mom always said “I’ve turned into my Mother”. Mama was a positive example to her daughters, Kelli and Laurie, and all grew very close after grandchildren arrived, spending holidays and frequent weekends, etc. together, just visiting at home and laughing. Mom frequently quoted her grandchildren’s first words and phrases up to the last month of her life. She had so many funny stories to tell from her childhood, including about her pet duck, Donella.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Coweta Care & Rehab for their kind attention to Jane during her stay. Jane often said she felt safe there, a comfort that meant the world to her family.
Service Details:
Visitation: Sunday, 12/29/24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Floral Haven
Funeral Service: Monday, 12/30/24 at 10:00 a.m. at Floral Haven with graveside services to follow.
Honorary Pallbearers: Jarrod Pitchford, Derek Duke, Justin Duke, John Duke and Dock Melton
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