A Life Lived: Tanya Johnson was a woman of faith and love
Published 2:12 pm Tuesday, June 23, 2020
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By ROZELLA HARDIN
Editorial Director
Michael Johnson credits his wife, Tanya, for making him a better person and “because of her I came to know the Lord and serve Him today.”
Michael and Tanya ministered together and served the Lord in numerous venues during their 20 plus years of marriage. They ministered together at Hale’s Community Ministries when food packages were distributed by teaching Bible classes. They also taught Bible studies for residents at Lynnridge Apartments and Tanya often assisted Michael when he delivered for Meals on Wheels.
In addition to their volunteer ministries, Tanya was active with the Gideon’s Auxiliary of which she was president of the Carter County Chapter.
Tanya, who died June 4, after a short bout with cancer, grew up in Elizabethton and was the daughter of the late Horace and Grace Broome. A graduate of Elizabethton High School, she was a Cyclone cheerleader, homecoming queen and was much loved by her classmates.
After high school, she attended and graduated from ETSU’s Marshall T. Nave Paramedical School, and worked briefly in the dental field. She later went to work at the VA at Mountain Home in Johnson City, retiring in 2018 after 33 years of employment. When she retired Tanya was Assistant Chief of Human Resources and had assisted many in finding employment with the VA.
In fact, that is where she met husband Michael. “At the time I lived in Abingdon, Va. I had retired out of the Marines. From the beginning I was envious of her faith. She got me involved in church and because of her I came to know the Lord,” said Michael.
For a time, Tanya and Michael lived in Abingdon, Va.; she driving to Johnson City to work each day. Sometime later they built a home on Stoney Creek and Michael served as a reserve deputy at the Carter County Sheriff’s Dept. for eight years. During that time he taught a Bible-based financial course to jail inmates.
“Tanya loved people and enjoyed helping them. She was one of those people who enjoyed working behind the scenes. She enjoyed church and meeting new Christians,” shared Michael.
Tanya and Michael had a motor home and they enjoyed traveling around the country, and attending church in the various towns and cities they traveled to. “We always looked for a Baptist (First) church in each town, and if it was on Sunday we stopped and worshipped,” said Michael. This past year they wintered in Florida, returning home when Tanya learned about her cancer.
Their travels took them to different parts of the Southwest, including parts of New Mexico and Arizona and to the Southeast to New Orleans, Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., Savannah, and St. Augustine. “We have worshipped in some very old and historic churches,” said Michael.
In addition to her love for God and her family and her service to others, Tanya shared her life with two Australian Shepherds, Charlie and Blue. “Boy, did she love those two dogs, and they loved her,” Michael shared.
“Tanya enjoyed her work, her ministries, attending church, and people. One thing she did not like to do was public speaking. She dreaded it with a passion. But, she often did and was good at it, I thought,” her husband shared in a broken voice.
Tanya grew up in Immanuel Baptist Church and later attended Grace Baptist. More recently, she attended Dungan Chapel Baptist Church.
Tanya Johnson stayed busy, quietly working behind the scene helping people in need, and always using the occasion to share her faith in Christ. Only eternity will reveal the impact of her Christian testimony.
