Sylvia Milree (Colwell) Johnson passed away on April 27, 2016. She was born in Boswell, Oklahoma on July 18, 1920, the daughter of Cleavie Colwell and Annie Isabella (Marshall) Colwell. When she was a young girl, the family moved near Seminole, Oklahoma, where her father found work in the oil fields during the Depression. Following graduation in 1937 from New Lima High School, Sylvia started college at East Central State College (now Eastern Oklahoma State University) in Ada, Oklahoma. Transferring to Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), she graduated in 1942 with a degree in Home Economics. She married A. Wayne Johnson, newly commissioned as an officer in the US Army, on August 20, 1942. From 1942 until Wayne was sent to the Okinawa Campaign in 1945, they were often transferred, usually on short notice, to army camps in places such as Indio, California, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Pine Camp (now Fort Drum), New York. Sylvia typically followed Wayne, who went with the troops; bringing all their earthly belongings and setting up a household. Wherever they went, Sylvia always made it home, even when it was only a curtained-off section of a living room with a hotplate. When the war ended, they moved to Anderson, Indiana, where Wayne studied for the ministry at Anderson College, and Sylvia taught in a country school. Following Wayne’s graduation, they pastored a church in Vinemont, Alabama, until the Korean Conflict started and he was called back into the Army. After the war, he stayed in the Army until he completed 20 years of active duty. Together, Sylvia and Wayne were stationed in Japan, then in New Orleans (where he taught ROTC at Tulane University), then Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he retired as a major. After his retirement, they moved back to Anderson in 1959. Wayne worked for the Board of Church Extension of the Church of God, and Sylvia began teaching full time as an elementary school teacher. Sylvia taught fourth and fifth grade; starting at Leach Elementary, then Lindbergh Elementary, and retiring in 1986 from Chesterfield Elementary. She earned her Masters in Education from Ball State University in 1965 while teaching at Lindbergh. Sylvia was a faithful member of East Side Church of God; active in Women of the Church of God, and always enjoyed singing in the choir as long as she was able. She was also an active member of Adelphai Philai, Athenaeum, and the American Association of University Women. Sylvia was widowed in 1978. Other family members who are deceased are brother, Edmund Colwell (who died in childhood), and brother Connie Mack Colwell (wife Peggy).
Still surviving are brother Kelly Dean Colwell (wife Lucille); sons N. Douglas Johnson, DDS (wife Ann), Gregory W. Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired) (wife Donna); grandchildren Eric Johnson (wife Gina Asensio Johnson), Katherine Johnson (husband Stuart Newman), Patrick Johnson (wife Maryn), Kristen Foster (husband Adam), and Gretchen Rees (husband John), great-grandchildren Liam and Max Johnson, Gillian and Finn Foster; and two nieces and three nephews.
Funeral service will be on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 12 noon at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Dr. Kerry Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to East Side Church of God. Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.