Lena Othell Johnson

Lena “Othell” Johnson, 88, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at her daughter's home in McLoud, surrounded by family. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Dale Church of Christ with Dewayne Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Dale Cemetery. Othell was born May 15, 1926 in Hickory, Oklahoma to William Lon & Cora Ollie (James) Gatlin. In 1944 she graduated from Hickory School, and then attended Draughon’s School of Business. On July 4, 1952 she married the love of her life, Robert L. Johnson, in Sulphur, OK. She was his angel. She enjoyed laughing with friends, and loved doing arts and crafts. The greatest joy of her life was spending time with family, especially daughter and son-in-law, who was like a son to her, her grandchildren and their spouses, whom she thought of as her own, and especially her “babies” – her five great-grandchildren. She worked at Tinker from 1951 – 1957 in the Provost Marshall Office. After retiring from Tinker she was a stay at home mom until she and her husband Bob opened Johnson’s Restaurant and Texaco Service Station. She also later owned and operated Johnson’s Sno-Ball Stand, and a dress shop in Tecumseh. She was a member of Dale Church of Christ, where she was actively involved, including serving as church treasurer from 1981 – 2011. She also spent many years being involved with church camp for the youth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Kevin Lee Johnson, an infant sister Alpha Marie, and two others, Melva Essary and Lahoma South, baby brother Thurman Glen and one other, L.D. Gatlin. She is survived by her daughter: Janie & husband Tim Howe; grandchildren Kelli & husband Neal Milette, Kevin and wife, Schyla Howe; great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Elijah and Jameson Milette, and Easton and Rylan Howe; sisters: Johnnie Thomas, Bill Hicks, Lorey Drake, and twin sister, Brondell Nelson; brother: Pete and wife Barbara Gatlin; brothers-in-law: Bob Essary, Johnny and wife Becky Blackburn; and beloved nieces and nephews, and many friends.