Jolene Brooks Johnson

Jolene Brooks Johnson
February 17, 1947 – April 8, 2025
Jolene Brooks Johnson passed away peacefully at her home on April 8, 2025. She was 78 years old.
Born in Borger, Texas on February 17, 1947, and raised in Hammon, Oklahoma by her beloved grandmother, Rannie Mae Walker, Jolene lived a life filled with compassion, tenacity, and unwavering love. She graduated from Hammon High School in 1965 and went on to earn her degree in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1969.
Jolene began her teaching career in Colbert, Oklahoma, where she became a legend among second graders. If you were lucky enough to be in her class, you likely learned more that year than in all your school years combined. Her students read at high school levels, mastered cursive writing, learned math through Chisanbop, and even made turtle soup to round out the year. She often said she was sure every one of her students still used Chisanbop when they had to add or subtract-because once she taught you something, it stuck.
After 20 years of teaching, Jolene decided it was time to earn a second Master's Degree in school counseling from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She served as a school counselor in Marietta, Oklahoma before landing what she always called "the best job of her life"-High School Counselor at Denison High School. She poured her heart into her students at DHS, many of whom have shared that without her support, they might not have graduated. She made sure you knew how to type, how to fill out college applications, and she found every scholarship possible to help you get there. She was proud to be a Yellow Jacket.
Jolene closed out her career at Curtis Middle School in Allen, Texas, where she built lifelong friendships with her coworkers. She retired in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in education and mentorship.
Jolene was a woman full of life and heart. She loved her family fiercely. If she knew you, she loved you-and if she was tough on you, that meant she loved you the most. Her children, Stefanie and Cody, were the lights of her life, and her love and pride in them was unmatched. She would go to the ends of the earth to help them succeed, and everyone knew it.
Loyalty defined Jolene. If she said she'd be there, she was there. She was a gracious hostess, known for her dinner parties with fine china, linen napkins, and proper table settings-fork etiquette included. It was nothing for her to whip up 13 pounds of her legendary spaghetti dinners that often fed an entire neighborhood, and leftovers were a rare treat.
Her joy grew even deeper with the arrival of grandchildren. She showed up, front row, for every game, recital, and celebration, cheering louder than anyone. And just when it seemed her heart couldn't grow any bigger, her great-grandchildren showed the world how limitless her love truly was.
Jolene was preceded in death by her grandmother Rannie Mae Walker, her sister Deann Price, and her grandson Devin Owens.
She is survived by her daughter Stefanie Bullard and husband Bret; her son Cody Johnson and girlfriend Brianna Frausto; their sister Skye Walter and husband Jordan; brothers Tony Price and Tom Price; her favorite ex-husband Zeke Johnson and her favorite "wife-in-law" Heidi. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren Darci Edwards and husband Tyler, and Marshall Gray and wife Emma; and her adored great-grandchildren Madi Sherrod, Emma and Jax Owens, Ruby and Birdie Edwards, and Finnley Gray.
A special thank you to the staff of 3 Oaks Hospice and her new best friends Nakisha Miller and Marcella Reed.
Her passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. Her impact will be felt for generations to come.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 18, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Denison Church of the Nazarene in Denison, Texas.