Log in

MARY JOSEPHINE JOHNSON

Posted

April 13, 1916-May 6, 2016
Service: Monday, May 9, First Baptist Church, El Dorado Springs. Burial: El Dorado City Cemetery.
Mrs. Johnson, 100, El Dorado Springs, was born near Merwin to Joseph Bradin and Ethel (Rogers) Bradin. She died Friday, May 6, at Community Springs Healthcare Facility. 
At the time of her death she was a member of First Baptist Church in El Dorado Springs. She graduated from Merwin High School in 1934, and went to Warrensburg Teacher College for a year. She began her teaching career at a country school near Peculiar. While there, she met Walter LaVere Steward, and they were married in Kansas City Oct. 16, 1936.
They later moved to the Steward family farm near Montevallo. She continued teaching at Barnes School, a country school with only one room, taught at Montevallo School for several years until it closed down and then grade school in El Dorado Springs. While teaching, she continued her education at Southwest Baptist College and Warrensburg State College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1957.
Her hubsand died, and she supported her family by teaching and running the family farm. In 1961, Josephine moved to Corvallis, Oregon, to be near her daughter and continue her teaching career. While there, she continued her education at Oregon State University, earning her master’s degree in education. She married Loren Johnson in June 1967.  They lived in Corvallis until her retirement from teaching in 1979.
They moved back to Stockton to enjoy retirement, and she was very active in many community activities, including ADK, retired teachers, Calico Clippers Quilt Club, Moss House, Missouri Extension Council, Stockton Christian Church and many others.
Her husband died in August 1993, and she continued to live in Stockton until the tornado of 2003, after which she moved to El Dorado Springs.
Survivors include a son, Walter J. Steward and wife Ann and their family, Darin, Dana and David; a son, Leon Ray Steward and wife Debee and their family, Mike, Brad, Scott and Leigh Ann; a daughter, Geraldine Kay Marcum and her family, Cindy, Connie, Cheryl and Michael; a step-son, Harold Steward and his family, Carlene, Richard and Brian; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; a special niece, Frances Mckenzie; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding Josephine in death were both husbands, LaVere Dec. 31, 1956, and Loren August 1993; her parents; two sisters, Cecil Bauer and Edith Melchart; two brothers, Homer Bradin and John Bradin; two daughters-in-law, Sandra Steward and Loretta Steward; a son-in-law, Robert Marcum; a grandson, Devin Steward; a granddaughter, Darla Steward; and a great-grandson, Brian Brown.
Services were officiated by the Rev. Ron Marsh, and services were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church and left at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.blandhackleman.com.



X
X