(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)Carol Johnston, or “Cannie” as she was affectionately known by family and friends, passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 82 after a long illness resulting from a stroke.
Carol was born on Friday, October 13, 1939, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. She was the oldest of two children born to Floyd and Anna Louise (Weezy) McCroskey. Her brother Frank preceded her in death. The McCroskey family attended High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, and Carol remained a strong Christian her entire life.
Carol graduated from Central High School (CHS) in Springfield. She had fond memories of her high school years, where she was the Class of 1957 Homecoming Queen. She also participated in stage productions and was a member of the National Thespian Society, Student Government, and Future Teachers of America.
After high school, Carol attended Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. During her college years she was in the Beta Sigma Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority as well as the Alpha Theta Chapter of the Delta Phi Delta national art honor society.
After college, Carol taught art at Study Junior High in Springfield but put her teaching career on hold to raise a family after marrying Jerry Johnston, also a 1957 CHS graduate, in 1962. The Johnstons had three children and lived not only in Springfield but also Dayton, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; and Dallas, Texas. Carol spent these years not only working in the home as a wife and mother, but also as an artist, selling many of her paintings at local art fairs. She volunteered at school functions for her children as a room mother, Girl Scout leader, Bluebird leader, and Cub Scout leader.
After divorcing, Carol moved back to Springfield and began teaching again. She taught at Hillcrest High School, Hickory Hills Middle School, and Jarrett Middle School, where she retired. She primarily taught art, but she also taught English and other subjects. She was thrilled when she was named in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” several times, because that honor is bestowed by students to teachers that made a difference in their lives. Throughout her life she never stopped being an artist, whether it be as a teacher, a painter, or by creating unique arts and crafts.
Carol not only loved her family, but she also loved her animals and passed this love along to her children. Her animals included Zsa-Zsa, Spot, Bridgette, Mama Kitty, Cleo, Ewok, Pear, Libby, Jagger, a parrot named Floyd, and Scooby – her self-proclaimed favorite - and numerous other strays that flocked to her porch for food.
Carol had a wonderful and sometimes wicked sense of humor, which she most definitely inherited from her parents. She was incredibly loved by so many people. Upon hearing of her passing, friends, family, and former students used the following words to describe her: wonderful friend; sweet; thoughtful; kind; caring; amazing; heart of gold; absolute all-time favorite teacher; compassionate; beautiful; precious; sassy; crazy (in a good way!); a strong woman; fun; silly; creative; jovial; firecracker; one-of-a-kind; patriotic; Christian; favorite teacher; trustworthy; honest; generous; giving; benevolent; and loving.
Salvador Dali, one of Carol’s favorite artists, said "A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others." Carol was a true artist, and her legacy remains in the inspiration of her children, her friends, and several of her students. She made a huge impact on many lives.
After college, Carol taught art at Study Junior High in Springfield but put her teaching career on hold to raise a family after marrying Jerry Johnston, also a 1957 CHS graduate, in 1962. The Johnstons had three children and lived not only in Springfield but also Dayton, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; and Dallas, Texas. Carol spent these years not only working in the home as a wife and mother, but also as an artist, selling many of her paintings at local art fairs. She volunteered at school functions for her children as a room mother, Girl Scout leader, Bluebird leader, and Cub Scout leader.
After divorcing, Carol moved back to Springfield and began teaching again. She taught at Hillcrest High School, Hickory Hills Middle School, and Jarrett Middle School, where she retired. She primarily taught art, but she also taught English and other subjects. She was thrilled when she was named in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” several times, because that honor is bestowed by students to teachers that made a difference in their lives. Throughout her life she never stopped being an artist, whether it be as a teacher, a painter, or by creating unique arts and crafts.
Carol not only loved her family, but she also loved her animals and passed this love along to her children. Her animals included Zsa-Zsa, Spot, Bridgette, Mama Kitty, Cleo, Ewok, Pear, Libby, Jagger, a parrot named Floyd, and Scooby – her self-proclaimed favorite - and numerous other strays that flocked to her porch for food.
Carol had a wonderful and sometimes wicked sense of humor, which she most definitely inherited from her parents. She was incredibly loved by so many people. Upon hearing of her passing, friends, family, and former students used the following words to describe her: wonderful friend; sweet; thoughtful; kind; caring; amazing; heart of gold; absolute all-time favorite teacher; compassionate; beautiful; precious; sassy; crazy (in a good way!); a strong woman; fun; silly; creative; jovial; firecracker; one-of-a-kind; patriotic; Christian; favorite teacher; trustworthy; honest; generous; giving; benevolent; and loving.
Salvador Dali, one of Carol’s favorite artists, said "A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others." Carol was a true artist, and her legacy remains in the inspiration of her children, her friends, and several of her students. She made a huge impact on many lives.
Carol is survived by her children, daughters Toni (Messer) Stephens of Dallas, Texas, and Taren Hamblen of Joplin, Missouri, and son Jay Johnston of Seymour, Missouri; grandchildren Hillary Hamblen of Portland, Oregon, Nick Hamblen and his wife Dede of Dallas, Texas, Rachel and Ryan Messer of Dallas, Texas, Piper Johnston of Springfield, Missouri, and Emilly McLean of Fort Worth, Texas; and countless wonderful and beloved extended family members, friends, and former students.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at the Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Her family will be present to welcome friends and loved ones. At a later date, her ashes will be interred at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Willard next to her parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carol’s honor to any Humane Society, SPCA, pet shelter of your choice, or the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
No comments:
Post a Comment