Obituary: Johnson, Phyllis Marie (Reverand)

JOHNSON, Phyllis Marie (Reverand)
(Age 94)

Phyllis passed away on July 26th at Sullivan Park Care Center in Spokane Valley, WA.

She was born on April 21, 1918 in Snohomish, WA to Arthur and Alta (Cochran) Johnson.

Her mother died when Phyllis was 7.

Two aunts, Lottie and Olga Johnson, helped raise her along with her father, were the formative, positive influences in her early life.

She graduated from Snohomish High School in 1936 and earned a BA from the University of WA in 1941.

Phyllis served as a secretary in the Army Signal Corps from 1941 through 1945.

In 1950 she received a Masters (cum laude) of Religious Education from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

From 1950 - 1977, Phyllis was Director of Christian Education at churches in Aberdeen, Seattle, Olympia, Pullman and Millwood, WA.

Ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in 1978, she served as interim pastor at churches in Rigby, ID and Spokane, WA through 1981.

Throughout her life, she was active in Christian organizations, leading Bible studies, retreats and educational workshops.

She enjoyed teaching and helping children and was a proud board member of the Liberty Park Child Development Center.

Many still fondly remember her as a mentor.

Phyllis was fun loving and joyful in the company of others.

She and her best friend, Rosa VanEss, shared in travel and the events of family and friends.

For years, Phyllis, Rosa and friends enjoyed their breakfast group get-togethers at the Hungry Farmer restaurant.

She loved writing, both prose and poetry, and contributed to and edited several publications.

She appreciated art and literature and she wrote and illustrated two small books: “Trees For Sharing” and “Christmas Cache, A Storehouse of Christmas Treasures”.

She had a keen and quick mind, delighting in repartee.

Her imagination was unbounded.

She once wrote: “One of God’s greatest gifts is our imagination as developed and expressed in partnership with Creator God.”

Another love was gardening.

She was always deeply moved by the beauty she saw around her.

Her ability to see beauty, even in a commonplace environment, was inspiring.

These words from Ralph Waldo Emerson perfectly described how she saw the world.
“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting - a wayside sacrament.

Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”

Phyllis overcame difficulties in her early years to live a productive life centered on her faith in God.

She used her gifts to nurture and educate others.

She never lost her sense of fun or the sparkle in her personality.

We remember and celebrate her laughter, her enthusiasm, her good company, her wit, and her joy.

God bless you, Phyllis, as your life has blessed ours.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Venetta Laura Johnson Stappler of Pasco, WA.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on August 21st at 2:00pm at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3233 North Marguerite Road, Spokane, WA, 99212.