Nita Johnson

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Nita Jean Johnson, age 100, a longtime resident of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on April 27, 2026, at Chapters Living in Joplin. She entered this life on April 7, 1926, in Iowa, the only child born to the union of the late Clarence and Inez (Beard) Hart.

Nita was raised in Carthage, Missouri, and was a 1943 graduate of Carthage High School. On December 3, 1955, she was united in marriage to Theodore Randall “Ted” Johnson, and together they shared forty-one years of marriage before his passing on December 12, 1996.

Throughout her life, Nita was a homemaker, and she took great pride in caring for her family and home. She also sold Avon for several years, where her friendly nature and dependable spirit were appreciated by many. In addition, she gave generously of her time as a volunteer at Spring River Christian Village for more than twenty-five years. Nita was a faithful member of Villa Heights Christian Church in Joplin. She was also a woman of many interests and simple pleasures. Nita was an avid bowler and enjoyed walking at the mall, gardening, sewing and loved the color green.

Nita is survived by her three children, Donna Smith of Bradley, South Carolina, Billie Hodson and her husband, David, of Carl Junction, Missouri, and Jack Johnson and his wife, Loretta, of Harrisonville, Missouri. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, along with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her family was the center of her life, and she cherished each generation that followed her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ted; two sons, George Richard “Rick” Boyd and Wesley Eugene Champ; and a granddaughter, Debbie.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Clint Hodson, Aaron Kesinger, Ben Kesinger, Matt Kesinger, Cole Hodson and Willie Kesinger. Arrangements are under the care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.