Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth "Betty" Johnson passed away peacefully in her home in Abilene, Tx, surrounded by family on April 27, 2021, at the age of 85. Betty was born in Zephyr, Tx, to parents George and Cordelia Petty. She spent her youth in Zephyr and attended Zephyr High School. Betty then enrolled in the Shannon Memorial School of Nursing in San Angelo, Tx, where she met Bernard "Barney" Johnson. They married in 1956 at the chapel on Goodfellow Air Force Base and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this June. Their union produced two children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Betty's priorities were providing for her family and devoting her life to her husband, children, extended family, and community. She was a lifetime member of the Ziphron Temple Daughters of the Nile where she helped raise money to fund Shriners Hospitals for Children. Betty recently received the McHenry Award for her lifetime of service to the cause. Betty and Barney were members of the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene where they served the Lord faithfully for many years. One of Betty's favorite hymns was, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," taken from Deuteronomy 33:27: "The eternal God is your dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms." Her family is greatly comforted knowing she is now safe and secure resting in the everlasting arms of the eternal God.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents: George Petty, Sr. and Cordelia Petty, brothers: George Petty, Jr., Glenn Petty and Ted Petty, and sisters; Virginia Campbell, Minnie Doris "Sis" Petty, and Peggy Chesser.

She is survived by her beloved husband Bernard Johnson, Sr., her children, Bernard "Barry" Johnson, Jr. of Austin, and David Johnson of Corsicana, and their wives; her three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Funeral Home Viewing Room in Abilene, Tx, on Friday, April 30. Betty's Celebration of Life Service will be held at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. in Abilene, Tx, on Saturday, May 1. Burial will be the following day, Sunday, May 2, at 2:00 p.m., Zephyr Cemetery, Zephyr, Tx.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Daughters of the Nile, or Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.