Lillian Johnson

Lillian Johnson, age 93, of Vandalia Missouri, passed away at 3:55 am, Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Tri-County Care Center, Vandalia Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Second Christian Church, Vandalia Missouri. Reverend Melvin McCaleb will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Vandalia Cemetery.

A visitation celebrating Lillian's life will start at 10:00 am until the time of service.

Below is a heartfelt obituary written by the family.

                             Sunrise:  November 19, 1930

                             Sunset:    December 11, 2023

Lillian was born on November 19, 1930, in Vandalia, MO, the daughter of John and Gertrude Salmon.  She was united in marriage to Andrew E. Johnson on February 9, 1954, in Vandalia, Missouri.  Her husband preceded her in death in 2009; and her oldest son, Larez E. Johnson.

Survivors include her five children:  Gregory (Teresa) Johnson, Springfield, IL; LaWaun (Emmett) Wiseman, Plant City, FL; Fernando (Sonya) Johnson, St. Louis; TaDarrol Johnson, St. Louis; and Taron (Gaile) Johnson, Grain Valley, MO.  She has one sister Inez McPike, Vandalia, MO; and one sister-in-law, Cathrine Salmon, Vandalia, MO.

Grandchildren include Crispin Johnson; LaKeena Little; Terrell Johnson; Tawntane (Terell) Townzel; Natalie Siasi; Nicole Johnson; TaDarrol Andrew Johnson; Brys Johnson; Conrad Johnson; and Marshon Johnson. 

And many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Salmon; six brothers:  Benjamin Salmon, Robert Salmon, Dolly Leo Salmon, Matthew Doc Salmon, Clement Adam Salmon; Jesse Edward W. Salmon; and three sisters, Virgie Overton; Bezolia Salmon and Mamie O.C. Salmon.; and one deceased grandchild, Stacia Glasgow.

Lillian attended the Garfield High School in Mexico, Mo.  She was a devoted member of the Second Christian Church in Vandalia, where she was the president and teacher of the Christian Women’s Fellowship; they frequent the nursing home providing a church service.   She loved to sing in the choir and would frequently sing a solo; in her youth she played the piano for the Sunday School; and she would oversee Christmas and Easter presentations.  She along with her siblings were known throughout the community by their fellowship with all congregations.  She gave her time, and money to the renovation of the Ol’ Lincoln School. 

Lillian loved her husband and their six children; she gave each an ‘unique name because her children were unique!’    

She began to help her husband to finance their children’s education by entering the workforce by working at Bobbie Brooks as a seamstress; she loved to sew and made clothes for herself and her daughter. 

Lillian loved to cook with her specialties including chocolate pie, homemade custard, waffles, dinner rolls and the cheesiest mac’n cheese ever!  And everyone, no age discrepancy, loved her infamous popcorn balls at Halloween trick- or- treat.  All the grands remember the enormous sugar cookies!

Decorating was her passion, her kitchen had “roosters” everywhere; the living room was beautifully staged with matching furniture, drapes and rugs.  Christmas was the highlight time of the year-she decorated the outside, including the sidewalk and the porch; and inside the Christmas tree was filled with colorful ornaments and the room was filled with presents, under the tree and on the furniture-the room was animated with chirps, and ringing of bells.  Lillian would stay up all through the night to wrap presents-her favorite thing to do-giving.  She always had a trinket or a gift to give to show her appreciation and genuine love for everybody.  

Lillian loved to fish and to hunt, not for the sport but to eat; she would fix an enormous picnic every year as the entire family, grands and all, would venture to Six Flags! 

And it would be amiss if it was not mentioned Lillian was always “cold”; never too many blankets to keep her warm.

This classy, fashion-model of a lady, Lillian E. Johnson, dressed from head to toe, will forever be loved and remembered……