Evenelle McGrew Owen Johnson's Obituary
JOHNSON, EVENELLE “NELL” McGREW OWEN Nell was born in Rotan, Texas, March 10, 1931 and passed away April 2, 2009. Nell was the daughter (5th of 6 children) of the late Melvin and Annie McGrew. She graduated from Rotan High School as Salutatorian, and attended SMU on an academic scholarship where she graduated with a BA in Elementary Education. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. While at SMU, she modeled and received numerous beauty recognitions. She began her teaching career in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) elementary schools in 1952 while continuing to model. Nell was named “Prettiest U.S. School Teacher” and was on the cover of Life Magazine February 23, 1953. After her “15 minutes of fame”, Nell decided she preferred teaching and raising a family with her first husband, George Owen whom she married in 1951. Nell taught in DISD for more than 10 years and was a long-time member of the Royal Lane Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. She married Pete Johnson in 1967 and is survived by him and her two sons; Mitch Owen and wife Suzzane of Dallas, and Bart Owen and wife Sharon of Garland; her stepchildren, Bret Johnson and life partner Paul Kass of Saratoga, CA, Stacey Lucchino and husband Larry of Boston, MA, and Stephanie Wilkinson of Grapevine, TX as well as her grandchildren Haley, Jenna and Scott Owen, Davis and Blair Ballard and Cale and Ali Wilkinson. She is also survived by her sister, Florene Floyd and husband Jay of Bartlesville, OK and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, her three brothers L.D. McGrew, James Patrick McGrew, and Melvin McGrew and her sister, Maxine Robbins precedes her in death. Nell was a beautiful person, quick-witted and fiercely loyal. She loved her family immensely; so very proud of her husband, children and grandchildren. Her family and friends remember her fondly as a wonderful, inspiring, graceful lady who always had a joke to tell, a laugh to share and love to give. She is missed more than words can say. Visitation of family and friends will be held at Restland Memorial Chapel at 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Monday, April 6, 2009. A memorial service will be held at Royal Lane Baptist Church, 12:30 pm, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 with family and friends in the Family Hall following the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Royal Lane Baptist Church are welcome.
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