Lillian O. Johnson

Lillian O. Kent Johnson, age 97, of Fayetteville, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of April 25, 2015 at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. She was born October 9, 1917 near Evening Shade in Sharp County, Arkansas to Robert Kent and Della Barnett Kent. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Noah, Darris, Ben and Wasson; and sisters, Gracie, Edna, Ethel and Olene. She is survived by two daughters, Norma Romeo and husband, Ed of Ocala, Florida and Sherry Watson and husband, Jim of Fayetteville; one sister, Iva Jewell Campbell of Cave City; five grandsons, Tony Romeo, Victor Romeo, Rick Romeo, Jason Watson and Kyle Watson; four great-grandchildren, Michael Romeo, Gina Romeo, Jacob Watson and Connor Watson; and one great-great-grandson, Luciano Romeo. She is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, whom she loved. Lillian was a Christian, and passed on her faith to her children. She had a great sense of humor, and loved to laugh and visit with family and friends. She was a homemaker, and also owner/operator of Johnson's Mercantile in Cave City, Arkansas from 1946 to 1962. In 1962, Lillian moved to Jonesboro where she began her second career as a Respiratory Therapist at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She also worked part-time as a beautician out of her home. She retired from St. Bernard's in 1982, and moved to Fayetteville. She was a member of University Baptist Church since 1982, and active in the Merry Hearts ministry. She was also a volunteer at Fayetteville City Hospital. The family would like to thank the staff of Walnut Grove Nursing Center as well as Willard Walker Hospice Home for the loving care they provided Lillian in her final days. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 9 a.m. at Beard's Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville. A celebration of Lillian's life will be held at 10 a.m., immediately following the visitation, also at Beard's Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dr. H.D. McCarty officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fayetteville. Memorial donations may be made to: Second Mile Ministries, 333 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72701; or to Washington Regional Hospice, 325 East Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.