Helen Martin Johnson

Helen Martin Johnson, wife of Rev. John C. Johnson, died peacefully in her Fort Worth home November 8, 2010. Helen was born November 16, 1922 in Lebanon, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur B. and Minnie Artman Martin. Upon graduation from Advance High School, Helen graduated from Indiana University in 1946 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. In August of that year she and John, who had been discharged from the Army (WWII) in February 1946, were married at Couts UMC, Weatherford. Helen became a social service case worker with Family Services in Fort Worth. In November, 1946, the couple moved into the parsonage of the Aledo Methodist Church where, in their first real home, Helen easily adapted to being a 'preacher's wife.' For the rest of her life Helen filled that role with grace, dignity, and enjoyment. She was devoted to her Lord and the churches that the Johnsons served. Helen had been a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church for 35 years. She identified with and loved the people in all of their church congregations. Helen was especially supportive of her husband during his academic years and career in the Air Force Chaplaincy. Although the many moves were not easy, she met the challenges with no complaints and was ready for new experiences across the nation and the seas. Although assuring a pleasant, warm, enjoyable home-life for her family, off and on across her years, Helen worked as a social worker, a school teacher, a church secretary and hospital volunteer. She was a loving, guiding mother who saw her dreams come true with the achievements, life-style and warm caring personalities of her two daughters, Christa and Jana. Instinctively, Helen cared for people reaching out with genuine interest which attracted others to her. She was an unselfish, down-to-earth lady who touched others, especially those who needed a friend. Though quite active almost all her life, the last year had been a difficult one for Helen. Multiple health issues required five hospital stays. For a year she had been restricted to a hospital bed due to extreme weakness. Since November, 2009, Helen and John were in Wausau, Wisconsin where daughter, Dr. Christa Mars, managed her health care. On October 2, 2010, the couple moved back to their home in Fort Worth. For some six months Helen benefited from the very helpful services of Hospice, both in Wisconsin and Fort Worth, to which staffs the family express sincere gratitude. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and two older sisters. Survivors include husband, Rev. John C. Johnson of Fort Worth; their daughters and families, Christa J. Mars and husband, John, their son, Patrick of Wausau, WI and daughter, Erin Mars Lasyone of Ruston, LA, daughter, Jana J. Mason and husband, John, their triplet daughters, Nicole, Rebecca, and Rachel, of Euless; and brother, Richard A. Martin of Weatherford. Services: 2:00 pm, Saturday at Aledo United Methodist Church. Interment: Poe Prairie Cemetery, Parker County. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., Friday at White's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Aldersgate Enrichment Center would be an appropriate memorial for Helen. Aldersgate is a Methodist-related facility providing employment and care for minimally retarded adults in this area of Texas. Donations can be sent to Aledo United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Aledo, TX 76008 designated to Aldersgate Enrichment Center.