Katherine Ruth Johnson

1940 - 2023

Katherine Ruth Johnson was born December 14, 1940, in Grover, Illinois to Vernon Mae Sherman and Melvin Andrew Sherman. She spent her childhood years in Fairfield, Illinois, and when her parents divorced in 1957, she moved to Odessa, Texas where she graduated from Odessa High School. At age 17 Kathy was living on her own, and in 1959 she moved to Lubbock, Texas and found a job at a local department store modeling and designing store displays. It was during this time that Kathy met the love of her life, James Woodrow Johnson. They married on June 18, 1960. The pair moved to Augsburg, Germany for 2 years while James served in the Army. Their oldest daughter Linda Diane was born in Augsburg in 1962. The family moved back to the states in 1963 and settled in Littlefield, Texas where Kathy started a job at a local bank. Shortly after their second daughter Jacqueline Michelle was born in 1964. Later the family moved back to Lubbock, Texas due to James' job as a salesman for a large greeting card company. During this time Kathy was a homemaker and raised their children. In 1970, their son James Aubrey would be born, followed by their youngest daughter Jennifer Lorraine in 1974.

In 1979 the family would move to Tucson, Arizona where Kathy and James managed the Zarfas Luggage and Gift Stores in the local area malls, which James's cousins founded in Lubbock, Texas in the 1950's. Both Kathy and James took great pride in running the business and would continue to talk about the stories and people of Zarfas well after they retired in 2005.

Kathy had a strong faith throughout her life and was active in her church, Spanish Trail Lutheran in Tucson, Arizona for many years, particularly with Thrivent. In recent years, Kathy attended Tanque Verde Lutheran where she was active in the quilting group. Kathy also enjoyed playing bunco with her friends.

Kathy became a grandma in 1981 and was lovingly named "Nanny" from that day on. She was a kind, loving, and amazing mom and grandma, and especially loved her latest role as great grandma. Her presence is deeply missed. Before Nanny passed, she made it known that her greatest legacy was her family and she let every one of them know how much she loved them.

Nanny is preceded in death by James "Jim" Johnson, her spouse of 53 years, and daughter Linda Diane Johnson. She is survived by daughter J Michelle Porter (Jeff) of Tucson, AZ, son James A Johnson (Clara) of Tucson, AZ, and daughter Jennifer L Cox (Chad) of Little Elm, TX. She had 5 Grandchildren- Nicole Jensen (Cody) of San Antonio, TX, Stephanie Bankemper (Cory) of Tucson, AZ, Shannen Porter (Millie) of Aurora, CO, Carson Cox (Sydney) of Monroe, LA, and Connor Cox (Melissa) of Little Elm, TX. Nanny had 3 Great Grandchildren, Norah Jensen, and Porter & Kate Bankemper. She also had 4 step Grandchildren Janai, Santiago, Nehemias and Roberto Alcaraz of Tucson, AZ.

A celebration of life will be held at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (8625 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749) on Thursday, January 4th at 11am, reception immediately following in Linder Hall. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.