Nancy Joyce Johnson's Obituary
Nancy Joyce Mackey Johnson, a lifelong Dallas resident and descendent of early Dallas County settlers passed away peacefully, early Monday morning, February 1, 2016, just short of her 90th birthday. Born on April 21, 1926 at her parents truck farm along Anson Road, near what is now Love Field, to Duren Lowery and Catherine Thorpe Mackey she was the fourth of four daughters, Martha Francis, Lillian June, Durene and Nancy Joyce. As was all too prevalent for the time Lillian June had all already preceded her in death from a common, and today minor, illness prior to Joyce’s birth. Her early and teen years were spent in the Love Field area where she attended Obadiah Knight elementary school and Crozier Technical High (old Dallas High School) majoring in commercial art and graduating in 1943. After graduation she went to work for Sanger Brothers Department Store working in the art department. However, it was not long before her classic looks and lithe movement attracted the eye of Sanger’s young Assistant Advertising Manager, Fred T. Johnson who convinced her that her future lay not as an artist but as a fashion model. In short order he became the love of her life and she his. Her modeling career, while her short, took her from Sanger’s to many of the top sportswear manufacturer’s in Dallas and finally to the cover of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar in 1948. Shortly thereafter she gave up her modeling career to concentrate on helping her husband raise their two sons, Fred Jr. and David Eric. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Fred Sr. and son David Eric. She is survived by son Fred T. Johnson, Jr. and wife Susan. The family would like to express our thanks to Dr. John Brooks, the staff at Acadia Assisted Living, Kim from Credence Home Health, the doctors and nurses at Medical City Dallas and most gratefully the staff at Vitas Hospice lead by Hope and Anne who made her last hours comfortable. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 in the Plaza section of Restland Memorial Park, Dr. Michael Waco officiating. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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