Carolyn Ruth Johnson was proud to be born and reared in Hartselle, Alabama, where she held elected positions with the local National Honor Society, Future Homemakers of America, as a drummer in the marching band, and with political organizations during her high school years.  She even initiated the process of naming what is now Sparkman Street in Hartselle, after the popular U.S. Senator, John Sparkman.  In her adult years she occasionally found important social and political issues that necessitated her speaking out, such as helping Florida reject the misnamed Equal Rights Amendment, which would have had detrimental effects on churches, family structure, and civic relationships.

She was a 1957 graduate of David Lipscomb University with a B. S. in Home Economics with a minor in Sociology. Following graduation, she spent the summer in Mendham, New Jersey serving as a camp counselor to inner city children from NYC and then teaching 4th grade at Toms River and then at Tabernacle, New Jersey.  It was here that this Alabama girl met a South Georgia boy was stationed in the Navy at Lakehurst, New Jersey.  They shared a love for the South as well as the same last name.  The stories of their meeting and 67 years of marriage would be told around the dinner table for generations.

God's providence was a central theme from the start and their lives centered around faith and service.  They drove great distances to worship each week before starting a local congregation in their home that is now one of the largest in the State of New Jersey. Because of her faith they were actively involved in congregations and Christian education in Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee, prior to "retiring" back in Hartselle where her life began almost 70 years prior.

She was a faithful wife, helping her husband accomplish far more than he could have alone, whether working alongside him in Christian schools or trudging through the jungles of Guyana, South America spreading the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Their life together in the Lord blessed them with four children and a resulting 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Carolyn was a keeper of the home who daily prepared for her heavenly home. She will certainly continue to be missed, but her service to the Kingdom will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-children, and her adoring husband.

A Celebration of a Beautiful Life for Carolyn Ruth Johnson, 90, will be Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Flint Church of Christ with Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Hartselle City Cemetery.  Visitation will be Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Flint Church of Christ. There will be additional time for visitation with the family following the service.

Mrs. Johnson passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at her residence.  She was born November 6, 1934, in Morgan County, to Simon Euclid Johnson and Dora Agnes Drake Johnson.

Preceding her in death were her parents, and two brothers- Charles and Carl Johnson.

Survivors include:

Husband - Gene Johnson,

Sons - Michael Johnson (Rebecca),
Keith Johnson (Laurie), and
Jeff Johnson (Kylie),

Daughter - Kristi Johnson Burleson (Doug),

Grandchildren -
Stephanie (Johnson) Clark & husband, Brett,
Austin Johnson & wife, Brianne,
Aubri (Johnson) Green, & husband, Kevin,
Trevor Johnson & wife, Katlynn,
Weston Johnson, & wife, Erin,
Maryn (Johnson) Crosswhite & husband, Tyler,
Ruth Johnson,
Ally Johnson,
Hannah Beth Johnson,
Danielle Johnson,
Jeffrey Johnson,
Eden Burleson,
Canaan Burleson,
Jordan Burleson, and
Haven Burleson.

Fourteen Great Grandchildren -
Ezra Clark,
Zoe Clark,
Jarrett Johnson,
Brooks Johnson,
Saylee Johnson,
Blakely Green,
Hudson Green,
Tynlee Johnson,
Laurel Johnson,
Will Johnson,
Titus Johnson,
Vada Johnson, and
Jenson Crosswhite.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be sent to,
"Mission Efforts"
c/o Flint church of Christ
1205 Mill Rd SE
Decatur, AL  35603

Peck Funeral Home
1600 Hwy 31 SW
P.O. Box 427
Hartselle, AL  35640
256.773.2541
256.773.2543 (Fax)

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