Lois "Sammy" E. Johnston

January 12, 1916 - August 11, 2010

Lois Edmona (Sammy) Johnston, 94, passed peacefully August 11, 2010, at her home in Columbine West Care Center, Fort Collins, Colorado. Born in Lamont, Oklahoma, January 12, 1916, to Perley and Dora Baker, the sixth of eight children, Sammy lived much of her life in southern Colorado, graduating from Rocky Ford High School in 1934. Sammy married Harold Wayne Johnston in the Rocky Ford Baptist Church parsonage on May 13, 1940. Following Wayne's return from naval service in World War II, the couple settled in Pueblo and Trinidad, Colorado, where Wayne managed Safeway stores and Sammy cared for their four children. In 1962, they returned to Rocky Ford, where she lived until moving to Fort Collins to be closer to her children in 2006. Sammy's history of service with First Baptist Church of Rocky Ford spans nearly 70 years. Deaconness, Sunday School teacher, pianist, choir member, floral arranger, organist were among her joys. Sammy dearly loved the church and serving it was a center for her life. Flower gardening was a passion and Sammy loved to arrange bouquets from her garden for the church, for floral contests, and for her home. A long time member of the Rocky Ford Garden Club, Sammy's large collection of winners' ribbons attests to her skill. The best thing about Sammy's garden was that most of the plants were gifts and she orchestrated these random plants into a symphony of beauty reflecting the musician that she was. In her later years, the staff at Columbine loved to tease "Sammy Jo" into singing. She still had that lovely alto voice that had won the state vocal contest in the early thirties. That honor garnered her a scholarship to Denver University's Lamont School of Music. Her gift of music was passed on to her children as she played the piano and sang classical pieces and hymns in their home. But it was her skill with butterscotch and lemon meringue pies that made her the queen of church potluck dinners. Sammy knew how to cook a roast and mash the potatoes so they were just right for Sunday dinner after church. Cinnamon rolls . . . no one made them like Sammy did. Sammy's cooking brought family and friends to the table for good food and conversation. Sammy was a homemaker, a woman whose strong Christian faith set an example for family and friends. She was a woman of humor. Sammy was wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and her 94 years were completed with lunch and dessert, followed by a nice long nap. Well done, Sammy. Sammy is survived by her children, Carol Ann (Gary) Hixon and Annelle Carroll of Fort Collins, Kathi (William) Gates of Denver, and Mark (Debra) Johnston of Pueblo, nine grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, and sister Hazel (Virgil) Stormo. Sammy was predeceased by her parents, husband Wayne, and six brothers and sisters. The family is most grateful for the loving care provided by her Columbine West friends of more than three years and prior to that by her New Mercer caretakers. Their kindnesses and skills gave Sammy happiness and security. Thoughts to hold about Sammy – The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, 1932 The kiss of the sun for Pardon The song of the birds for mirth One is nearer God's heart in the garden Than anywhere else on earth. -- Dorothy Frances Gurney, 1858-1932 Services will be held at the Rocky Ford First Baptist Church, 966 Maple Ave., Monday, August 16, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Sammy loved flowers. Memorial gifts may be made in Sammy's name to the Rocky Ford First Baptist Church in care of Ford-Ustick Funeral Home, 305 N. 8th Street; Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent or to view the video tribute go to www.fordustick.com.