Mary Evelyn Johnson

Mary Evelyn Johnson, 79, wife, mother and diehard Texas Rangers fan, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. Services for “Mrs. J” will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Sherman Mayfield officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral In The Pines Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2013 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Whether singing in the church choir, playing handbells or sitting under the lamp on the couch reading her Bible, Evelyn was an example of her faith by how she lived her life. Raising two children, Debbie & Stephen, she showed them by her walk what it meant to be a Christian. She also taught them to eat meals at the table with the family you love, make your bed and look for the positive in all situations. Being matter of fact was the gift Evelyn brought to the world by not making a big deal of many things. In mid-January, on a visit with her grandson, Kade, he looked at her and said, “Grandma, you look yellow.” Five days later, we received a call and she simply said, Well, I have cancer.” Four days before she died, she called her sister and said, “Well, I’m dying.” This is never to say she gave up. Evelyn was a fighter. She was told in January that she only had a week to live and it was almost 11 months later before she lost her battle. The nurses stood in amazement as they had never seen anyone with that kind of spirit and will to live. Her oncologist regularly commented on how she was the most positive patient they ever had and she was her own best cheerleader. “Mrs. J”, as everyone knew her, lived for the children and her work with Trinity Mother Frances Children’s Clinic. She loved all the children and families that came through the doors. And most of them, you could mention their name and she could tell you all about the person, their background, where they lived, who they were related to and what doctor treated them. Her “job” was something that she attacked with meaning and made a difference in those children’s lives. She gave almost 60 years to Children’s Clinic and the doctors that she so dearly loved. She loved working in the yard with her Cannas, picking blueberries with her grandchildren, eating delicious pies, watching Family Feud and cheering on the Texas Rangers with Stephen. QVC was her addiction and Christmas was the time to shower those around her with all the gifts she had bought throughout the year. Even though the last year of her life was the hardest, it was also her best. She was able to see family and friends she hadn’t seen in years. She laughed more during that time than anyone can remember. Her sense of humor and positive attitude were the things that surprised everyone who met Evelyn. She had the amazing ability to find humor in the worst situations and the strength to persevere. “Get out and rake the yard” was her mantra, which translates into get your mind off of your problems and do something productive. In her last days, as the cancer took hold, she talked about seeing a beautiful mansion and spoke regularly about not being afraid to be with Jesus. She died with incredible dignity and grace, just as she lived. Evelyn was born December 18, 1933 in Waxahachie to Raymond and Leila Lucille Lee Langley, and was preceded in death by her brother, GC Langley. She is survived by her family including her husband of 61 years, Billy E. Johnson; daughter Debbie Johnson-Carlisle and husband Allen Carlisle of San Antonio; son, Stephen Johnson; grandchildren, Kade Tyler, Zari Skye, and Jolie Rayne Carlisle; siblings Bonnie Smith and Lois Smith and husband Eddie, all of Tyler; Sister-in-law Ann Pugh of Red Springs. In addition to her loved brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews and extended family. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Langley, Curtis Langley, Michael Berryhill, Jeffery Hamilton, Kade Johnson-Carlisle, Donnie Smith, Dwayne Smith, and Jonathan Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Cook, Ricky Hassell, and Eddie Smith, Jr. Because of her love for children and her adopted grandchildren, the family is requesting donations be made in her name to: World Orphan Project, 9 High Meadow Road, Wrentham, MA 02093 or the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave., Tyler, Texas. Mary Evelyn Johnson, 79, wife, mother and diehard Texas Rangers fan, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. Services for “Mrs. J” will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Sherman Mayfield officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral In The Pines Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2013 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Whether singing in the church choir, playing handbells or sitting under the lamp on the couch reading her Bible, Evelyn was an example of her faith by how she lived her life. Raising two children, Debbie & Stephen, she showed them by her walk what it meant to be a Christian. She also taught them to eat meals at the table with the family you love, make your bed and look for the positive in all situations. Being matter of fact was the gift Evelyn brought to the world by not making a big deal of many things. In mid-January, on a visit with her grandson, Kade, he looked at her and said, “Grandma, you look yellow.” Five days later, we received a call and she simply said, “Well, I have cancer.” Four days before she died, she called her sister and said, “Well, I’m dying.” This is never to say she gave up. Evelyn was a fighter. She was told in January that she only had a week to live and it was almost 11 months later before she lost her battle. The nurses stood in amazement as they had never seen anyone with that kind of spirit and will to live. Her oncologist regularly commented on how she was the most positive patient they ever had and she was her own best cheerleader. “Mrs. J”, as everyone knew her, lived for the children and her work with Trinity Mother Frances Children’s Clinic. She loved all the children and families that came through the doors. And most of them, you could mention their name and she could tell you all about the person, their background, where they lived, who they were related to and what doctor treated them. Her “job” was something that she attacked with meaning and made a difference in those children’s lives. She gave almost 60 years to Children’s Clinic and the doctors that she so dearly loved. She loved working in the yard with her Cannas, picking blueberries with her grandchildren, eating delicious pies, watching Family Feud and cheering on the Texas Rangers with Stephen. QVC was her addiction and Christmas was the time to shower those around her with all the gifts she had bought throughout the year. Even though the last year of her life was the hardest, it was also her best. She was able to see family and friends she hadn’t seen in years. She laughed more during that time than anyone can remember. Her sense of humor and positive attitude were the things that surprised everyone who met Evelyn. She had the amazing ability to find humor in the worst situations and the strength to persevere. “Get out and rake the yard” was her mantra, which translates into get your mind off of your problems and do something productive. In her last days, as the cancer took hold, she talked about seeing a beautiful mansion and spoke regularly about not being afraid to be with Jesus. She died with incredible dignity and grace, just as she lived. Evelyn was born December 18, 1933 in Waxahachie to Raymond and Leila Lucille Lee Langley, and was preceded in death by her brother, GC Langley. She is survived by her family including her husband of 61 years, Billy E. Johnson; daughter Debbie Johnson-Carlisle and husband Allen Carlisle of San Antonio; son, Stephen Johnson; grandchildren, Kade Tyler, Zari Skye, and Jolie Rayne Carlisle; siblings Bonnie Smith and Lois Smith and husband Eddie, both of Tyler; Sister-in-law Ann Pugh of Red Springs. In addition to her loved brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews and extended family. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Langley, Curtis Langley, Michael Berryhill, Jeffery Hamilton, Kade Johnson-Carlisle, Donnie Smith, Dwayne Smith, and Jonathan Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Cook, Ricky Hassell, and Eddie Smith, Jr. Because of her love for children and her adopted grandchildren, the family is requesting donations be made in her name to: World Orphan Project, 9 High Meadow Road, Wrentham, MA 02093 or the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave., Tyler, Texas.

Mary Evelyn Johnson

December 18, 1933 - October 22, 2013