Wanita Johnson

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Wanita Mae Johnson, age 96, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Reeds, MO. She was born in Marshall, MO on Monday, February 24, 1930; daughter of Elva Ray and Ressie (Williams) Atteberry. 

Wanita planned to go into the military but missed her bus and met the love of her life, Morris Johnson, a Military Police officer. He let her wait inside in the guard shack for the next bus that she missed on purpose to flirt with him. 

Wanita married Morris H. Johnson on Wednesday, January 2, 1952, in Omaha, NE. She completed cosmetology school and worked as a waitress for many years developing relationships with those she served. She loved her family so much. She sewed all the kids' clothes and took them to church each week. She was always a mom even to her grandchildren, always making sure they had what they needed. Wanita enjoyed taking care of her roses, made the best cheeseburgers, and did a lot of traveling. She will be missed by many!

Surviving are the following: her daughter, Brenda Lea McNary of Reeds, MO; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. 

Wanita was preceded in death by her parents, Elva and Ressie Atteberry; husband, Morris Johnson; two sons, Gary Wayne Smith and William Harold Johnson; two daughters, Rhonda Lynn Johnson and Debra Kay Harris; two brothers, Cecil Atteberry and Jim Atteberry; and two sisters, Mildred Hack and Florence Poindexter.

Graveside services will be at Kings Prairie Cemetery in Monett, MO on Saturday, March 14, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM with her niece, Judy Howard, officiating. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.