Mary Ellen Johnston

Mary Ellen Nichols Johnston died August 16, 2023, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 99. She was born March 10, 1924, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to William Garland and Amie Britt Nichols. She graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Missouri, received a Bachelor's degree in Biology/Zoology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and took additional classes in biology and chemistry from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. 

She worked as a laboratory assistant doing cancer research at Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City and, in the early years of her marriage, held various clerical positions in Omaha, Wichita, and Joplin.

Mary Ellen married Dean Stuart Johnston on October 14, 1950, in Kansas City. Their children are Laurie Jean Stratton, David Dean Johnston, and Martha Sue Oglesby.
Over many years, Mary Ellen served as president, treasurer, and bulletin editor of the Joplin Branch of the American Association of University Women. She was president of the Joplin League of Women Voters, the Carver Nursery School Board, and the Delta Delta Delta Sorority Alumnae. She was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, Boy Scout Camp naturalist, Crosslines worker, and political party volunteer. In addition, Mary Ellen spent a lot of time as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School director, Administrative Board secretary, and vice president of the United Methodist Women of Byers Avenue United Methodist Church. For a time, she was an active elder in First Presbyterian Church of Owasso.

Luckily, she traveled with her husband to many overseas countries and attended Elderhostel sessions in many states. One of her favorite cultural experiences was teaching English in Poland with Global Volunteers. She loved to garden, cook and sew and was the best at sending letters and notes to all of her family and friends.

Mary Ellen developed a passion for nature conservation and helped stage several Earth Day events. She was also a former officer of the Ozark Gateway Audubon Society. During their ten years of living in Owasso, Mary Ellen and Dean worked as docents at the Oklahoma Nature Conservancy Tallgrass Prairie and served as volunteers at Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa. As a couple they researched, wrote, and published a book titled "Up the Creek by Highway".

The most important thing to Mary Ellen was her family! She loved her family and was excited to attend any family get together and always wanted to bring something to share.

Mary Ellen is survived by her children: Laurie Stratton, Joplin, MO, David Johnston, Sapulpa, OK, Martha Oglesby and husband Dean, Owasso, OK. Grandchildren: Craig Jones, Angela Stratton, Lacey Peterson and husband Ryan, Nicholas Oglesby and wife Natalie, Britt Oglesby, and Dezarae Pebworth. Great-grandchildren: Donavyn, DaRon, Avery, Taegan, Jonathan and Lyncoln. Great-great grandson: Drayden. Many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Dean Johnston, her parents, Amie and Garland Nichols, in-laws, Ralph and Georgia Tinker, brother, Richard Nichols, sisters, Betty Claire Charles and Martha Ann Swegle, and grandson Robert "Petey" Clute.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 9th at 11am at Byers Avenue United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to: Byers Avenue United Methodist Church, Joplin, MO, or First Presbyterian Church, Owasso, OK.