Jo Johnson

Mrs. Johnson died November 19, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert A. Johnson. She was also preceded in death by her father John R. Swaim, Sr. and mother, Etta Mitchell Swaim, a pioneer McNairy County family, a brother J. R. Swaim, Jr., and sisters Ira Swaim Brown, Mity Lena Swaim McAlpin and Evelyn Swaim Teague. She is survived by nephews, Tom Teague of Fort Collins, Colo., J. Richard Swaim of Jackson, TN., John Brown of Cheyenne, Wyo., nieces, Jane Swaim Fox of Hot Springs Village, Ark., Jo Evelyn Brown Heatherington of Cheyenne, Wyo., Sue Teague Hewett of Rawlins, Wyo., and Berdie Jo Adams of Birmingham, Ala., plus many great nieces and nephews.



She was educated in the McNairy County School System and received B. A. and M. A. degrees from Memphis State now University of Memphis. “Miss Jo” taught in the McNairy County school system for 40 years beginning at Gravel Hill at the age of 17. Those who went to school to her will tell you she not only taught the three “R’s” but she taught young folks how to live, which may not be politically correct today.



Mrs. Johnson was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star, having held local offices, and was a Grand Officer at the state level. She was a member and supporter of Delta Kappa Gamma, the McNairy County Retired Teachers Ass’n, and the Argonaut Book Club.



She was a loyal member of the Court Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having served as Sunday School teacher and Church Treasurer for 25 years.



Pall Bearers will be Danny Roberts, Sr., Wayne Rhodes, Bill Webb, Ken Swaim, John Swaim, Steve Rhodes, Joe Hailey and John Droke.