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Barbara "Penny" Johnson
Barbara "Penny" Johnson
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Barbara Johnson Obituary
Barbara "Penny" (Pennington) Johnson
Services for Barbara "Penny" Johnson, formerly of Zavalla, Texas, will be held Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Zavalla at Shady Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 3810 State Highway 147 N with Reverend William Lanigan officiating. Penny was born October 2, 1930, in Wauneta, Nebraska, and passed away in her sleep in the early morning of May 19, 2025, at Creekside Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Pearland, Texas, at the age of 94.Barbara "Penny" Pennington married Kenneth "Ken" Johnson on May 28, 1950. Penny and Ken served as the Kitchen Supervisor and Camp Superintendent for two Methodist Church camps. When Ken became an accountant and later an attorney, Penny worked alongside him. In 1983 Penny and Ken moved to Texas, and Ken returned to the pastorate.
They built an earth-sheltered home near Zavalla and retired there. Penny grew an extensive flower garden for her flower ministry. Known as the Flower Lady, she delivered small bottles of flowers each week to many businesses in Zavalla, Huntington, and Lufkin. She also started four Little Free Libraries in Zavalla. Penny and Ken were active members of Shady Chapel United Methodist Church in Zavalla and the East Texas Emmaus Community. They continued their charitable activities through ZAM Outreach.
In 2018 Penny moved to an independent living community in Houston, Texas, to be closer to family. She was still active and continued her flower ministry there for as long as she was able. She moved into memory care in 2023.
Penny is survived by eight of her 12 children: Glenda, Carolyn, Debbie, Roxie, Mary, Janet, Rodger, and Dori; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; her sister Ruth Spencer and her sister-in-law Carol Kalkwarf; many other relatives, and church family members.
Penny was preceded in death by Ken her husband of almost 64 years, her parents Ivo and Iola Pennington, and four of her 12 children: Sharon, Gary, Lou, and Jeff.
In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to your local food bank would honor her memory.
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