Bessie Theora Johnson

Bessie Theora Johnson was born August 26, 1928 in Masham, Pawnee County, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Cedric G and Theora Pearl (Greer) Harris. Bessie attended Masham schools through the third grade and then moved with her family to Mounds Valley where she continued her education. In 1945, the Harris family relocated to Terlton where Bessie graduated from high school in 1947. Upon graduation from high school, Bessie attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater and later graduated from Central State University in Edmond with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Bessie was married to Tally Johnson on December 28, 1953 in Cleveland. The couple have made their home in Terlton all of their married life and raised two sons, Monty and Trenton. Bessie was employed by the Terlton school system for nearly fifteen years where she taught elementary education, grades 3-6. Later she began teaching in the Cleveland Public Schools where she continued for an additional eighteen years; teaching for a total of thirty-three years. Bessie was described by her family as a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to changing the lives of children through education. She was a hard-working lady who always put others before herself. She enjoyed gardening and helping Tally raise the cattle and horses around the ranch. She also liked taking care of her chickens. Other hobbies that she participated in were painting, sewing, art and crafts, cooking and collecting antiques. Her favorite pastime, however, was spending time with her family. Bessie passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa at the age of eighty. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cedric and Theora Harris. She is survived by her husband of nearly fifty-five years, Tally of the home; two sons and their wives, Monty and Anita Johnson of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Trenton and Cathy Johnson of Terlton, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Monica Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three grandsons, Jesse and his wife, Paula Johnson of Terlton, Oklahoma, Justin Johnson of Terlton, Oklahoma and Kendall and his wife, Makela Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia; step granddaughter, Mellisa Ryan of Pawnee, Oklahoma; two great granddaughters, Morgan and Sahara Ryan of Pawnee; two great grandsons, Maxwell Joe Johnson of Terlton, Oklahoma and Ayden Wyatt Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia; brother and his wife, Jim and Mary Harris of Sedalia, Missouri and a sister and her husband, Betty and Jack Jones of Terlton, Oklahoma. A private family committal service was conducted at the Terlton Cemetery at 10:00 AM, Monday, December 8, 2008 under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeal Home. A memorial service was held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 8, 2008 at First Baptist Church in Terlton with Rev. Scott Watkins officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at chapman-black.com.