06/22/2018
Mary Evelyn Tyson Johnson passed away on June 17, 2018 at age 90, in Nacogdoches, Texas. Born in Timpson, Texas, to Gilmer and Mary Tyson, she grew up in the Waterman community of Center, Shelby County, Texas. As all friends and family know, she met and married her beloved husband of 60 years, E.F "Foots" Johnson, also of Center, in their hometown.
Residing the majority of their life together in Dallas, Texas, they always returned to their farm in Waterman, every moment they could. She liked to laugh and tell people that her address was Interstate 20 due to the endless hours of traveling between Dallas and Center.
Evelyn inherited her mother's artistic talent and gardening interests. The latter led her to share these interests through study, teaching and volunteer work. However, she expanded her interests in other areas too. She had a passion to meet people and be involved with civic organizations. This passion provided for many unique experiences and opportunities as well as lifelong friends; such as being invited to demonstrate the ‘Art of making Lye Soap,’ Pioneer style, at both the 1968 Texas Folklife Festival held by the Institute of Texan Cultures at the HemisFair, San Antonio, Texas, and the nation’s 1976 U.S Bicentennial Folklife Festival celebration at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Mesquite Art Club, Mesquite Garden Club, East Texas Archeology Society, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Mesquite Citizens Police Academy, Shelby County Historical Society and Kappa Alpha Theta. In addition, she authored her book of family heritage and tales called Memories, with a second in progress. She was a member of the Old Home Missionary Baptsit Church in Shelby County.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband and two grandchildren. She is survived by son Forrest Tyson Johnson and wife, Sharon of Center, daughter Melody Johnson Hayes of Nacogdoches, and daughter Shawn Johnson Burns and husband Alan of Dallas. Other survivors include her five grandchildren – Colby, Seth, Jarrod, Nathan & Shelby, and nine great-grandchildren.
A private family service was held where she joined E.F. by his side once again. In lieu of flowers, her wish was for memorial donations to be sent respectfully to: Old Home Cemetery Fund, c/o Linda Wheeler, 1273 CR 3689, Joaquin TX 75954.
