Mary Jo Johns' Obituary
Remembering Mary Jo Johns ~ “R” Words Come to Mind Red-Mary Jo’s favorite color-bright, vibrant…just like her. Red-the color of her hair…she had gorgeous, thick, Auburn Red hair. Red shoes-another of Mary Jo’s signature looks (and the prettiest feet you’ve ever seen). Red from head to toe…she even lived behind a Red door. Red birds-Cardinals were another favorite. Ristras-spicy, hanging, red hot peppers and Mexican dresses, symbols of Santa Fe and the Southwest of which she was so fond. Recipes-an avid and excellent cook, Mary Jo owned an extensive collection of cookbooks, attended gourmet cooking classes and was recently organizing stacks of handwritten recipes to create a cookbook all her own. Rincon ~ Rafa’s-she could often be found at Rafa’s, her favorite Mexican restaurant in a front rincon (“corner” in Spanish) enjoying iced tea with extra lemon, chips and salsa, and Kathy’s Nachos. Rah, Rah, Rah-Mary Jo was a wonderful mother, cheering (rah, rah, rah) on her two daughters, Mary Gray and Elizabeth, in all endeavors. Room mom, leader of Brownies and Blue Birds, chauffeur to piano and dance lessons and school events, Sunday school and youth group leader, chaperone at dances, she was devoted to their educational and social development and taught them to follow The Golden Rule (as her Grandmother had taught her). Ribbons-she received many awards for her artistic creations painted in the mediums of porcelain painting and watercolor. She began china painting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and continued in Dallas, Texas, winning ribbons at state fairs. Encouraged to take lessons in watercolors, she took classes at North Texas University and studied under renowned artists, including Leo Smith and Rob Erdle. A plethora of framed masterpieces and “best of show” ribbons are testament to her success. Roses-Mary Jo loved flowers of all kinds, especially roses which graced her garden: Red ones (of course), Mr. Lincoln and Knockouts; Wild ones like Dainty Bess; but Yellow roses, Midas Touch and Peace, won her heart the most. She painted roses and many other of nature’s flora and fauna in grand detail. “Nobody painted large flowers like Mary Jo.” MR. J’S FRAMERS Rapture and Recreation-she also had a passion for her pastimes, Oriental Arts and Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging). She even traveled to China with special art friends. Travels abroad also included England, France, Italy, and Switzerland, and she made trips to Mexico and Guatemala. Her magnificent paintings reflect sights that captured her eye on all of her journeys. She painted from snapshots, and admirers of her work comment that her paintings, with such detail and precision, appear as if to be photographs. Rapido (“fast” in Spanish)-when Mary Jo set her mind to go somewhere or to accomplish something, she was off and running in a flash and at a fast pace. It was difficult to keep up with her…and often to find her! “Rumbles and Tumbles” ~ Rigmarole ~ Rally-words Mary Jo sometimes used to describe the rough times and mumbo jumbo of life experiences from which she would rally no matter how challenging they might be. Rafa’s (Mexican Food Restaurant)-did I mention Rafa’s? She never turned down an opportunity to eat at Rafa’s. Regard-Mary Jo had a strong regard for others and showed care and concern for everyone she encountered. Religion-the beliefs, the activities, and the community of the churches she attended, especially Northway Christian Church in Dallas, Texas, were first and foremost in Mary Jo’s life. Rich-her appreciation for quality was evident in her affinity for rich cuisine, couture, and art. In everything she exhibited distinctive style and gracious character, and her life was indeed rich with blessings: friends and family, talents and travels, lessons and love. Reina (“Queen” in Spanish)-Mary Jo Taylor Johns was a Reina/Queen to her family: Husband, Thomas L. Johns, deceased; Daughters, Mary Maxwell Copeland and Elizabeth Johns Lee; Son-in-Law, John Copeland; Grandsons, Jonathan Thomas Lee and Alexander Joseph Lee; Grandmother, Josephine Carrington Gray, deceased; Father, Frank W. Taylor, deceased; Mother, Mary Ella Gray, deceased; Brother, and Wallace Gray Taylor, deceased. Region-born in Coleman, Texas, on August 13, 1923, Mary Jo was proud to hail from West Texas, a region where longhorns and horned toads could be found. They can also be found larger than life on canvases she painted. Rockets-how fitting that she passed from this world on July 2, 2010, near the time of the Fourth of July Celebration! Mary Jo was indeed a Firecracker! Rest-now Mary Jo is peacefully at rest in the Abbey at Restland in Dallas, Texas, and abiding in the Heavenly Kingdom of God…with her loving husband, Tom. Hallelujah! We thank God for Mary Jo who lived a full life and will be remembered as someone extraordinary…and greatly missed. “The song has ended, but the melody lingers on.” IRVING BERLIN
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