Carolyn McKinney Johnson, 70, of Elizabethton, passed away at 2 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at the Hospice House of Bristol, Tenn., after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. The 11th was also her 50th wedding anniversary.
Carolyn was born November 24, 1943 in the Upper Shell Creek area of Carter County to the late Sanford and Ruth Shell McKinney.
Carolyn was a 1962 graduate of Cloudland High School. She worked at various jobs during her working years in addition to being a homemaker. She was a member of West Side Christian Church and had recently been attending East River Park Christian Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her one and much loved child, Dr. Michael Albert Johnson; sister, Betty McKinney Heaton; nephew, Keith Shelton; and grandparents, W.L. and Elvira Knight McKinney and Dan and Mattie Morgan Shell. She was also preceded in death by her dear friends, Bruce and Carolyn Shipley.
Carolyn will be deeply missed by her husband of 50 years, Cecil Albert “Dick” Johnson. Others left to cherish her memory are sisters, Mae “Thel” (Darrell) McKinney Tegtmeyer, Jonesborough, and Cherylene (RL) McKinney Miller, Elizabethton, and her brothers, William L. (Lucille) McKinney and O Edward McKinney, both of Roan Mountain, and Sanford (Rosemary) McKinney Jr., Kingsport; and sister-in-law, Jean Johnson Shelton of Woodbridge, Va. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. Carolyn is survived by her dear friend and second mother, Sara Shipley.
A special “Thank You” to the following: Dr. Sue Prill and staff at the Bristol Wellmont Hospital, also, Mike, Hope and Heather of Wellmont Hospice House, for their excellent and compassionate care of Carolyn. Thank you to all friends and neighbors for all the help and concern during Carolyn’s illness. Also my sweet and good general federation, Women’s Club of Elizabethton, my great sisters and Christ Prayer Group, my wonderful High School Classmates, all her church family at East River Park Christian Church, our great traveling friends, Ondrea and Lonnie Clark. Carolyn wanted to express a very special “Thank You” to Dick for taking real good care of me.
A service to celebrate the life of Carolyn Johnson will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Mr. Barry Pettit, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Michael Albert Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Northeast Community Credit Union, 980 Jason Witten Way, Elizabethton, TN 37643, (423-547-1200) or Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steeles Road, Bristol, TN 37620 (423-844-5252). Condolences to the Johnson family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.