JOHNSON, JUNE PAGE (1924 ~ 2016). The following is an obituary for June Page Johnson, wife of State and Federal Judge Samuel Dodson Johnson, Jr. The obituary was provided by Weed, Corley, Fish Funeral Home of Austin.
June Page Johnson went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 13, 2016 at the age of 92. June was born February 11, 1924 to Maggie and Ira Page. She grew up in Raymondville, Texas, where she loved school and all opportunities to socialize. She graduated Valedictorian of her class and earned a scholarship to Baylor University. There she met the love of her life, Sam Johnson, and formed many life-long friendships.
June and Sam were married 56 years until his death in 2002. During their life together they lived in Hillsboro, Houston, and finally Austin when Sam was elected to the Supreme Court of Texas in 1973. June supported her husband throughout his remarkable career of public service, including many election campaigns that sent her knocking on doors to meet constituents.
Up to her last years she could recall their neighbors from all phases of life. Judge Johnson went on to be appointed by President Carter to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. At his retirement he stated, "Let me be clear, I would not have been on this court or any other court without June Johnson."
After earning her degree from Baylor, June worked for the Appropriations Committee of the Texas House of Representatives and for the Speaker of the House. She was appointed to the Governor's Committee to study "Problems in Health Care in Texas" and was appointed to the Board of Regents of Texas Woman's University from 1984-1987 by Governor Mark White.
June was a member of the Austin Heritage Society, Women's Symphony League, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni, State Official Ladies Club, Austin Law Wives Club, and her "sewing" club.
June's love for Baylor ran deep. She made lifelong friends among her suite mates and they have supported a Suite 602 Scholarship for young women for decades. She served as First Vice President of the Baylor University Alumni Association, Chairwoman of the Women's Athletic Council, and was appointed to the Athletic Program Review Task Force by the Baylor University Board of Trustees.
June was a faithful Christian and active member of the Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin. In 2004, Covenant awarded her an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Presbyterian Women for her outstanding service. She was the first female elected to serve on Covenant's session, a founding member of Lamplighters Bible Study, participated in numerous circles and taught too many Bible studies to count.
Always an advocate for children, June served four years as President of the Junior Helping Hand Home for Children, during which she started the motorcycle toy drive which is now in its 25th year. She also served on the Board of the Presbyterian Children's Home and Service Agency.
June was a loyal yellow-dog Democrat. She cultivated countless friendships from all walks of life. She loved to entertain and together with her husband they dearly loved spending time with their family. Since 1982 she coordinated an annual family reunion for both of their extended families.
June was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam D. Johnson and her dear nephew Joseph Wier. She is survived by her daughter, Page Johnson Harris and husband Barney, and son, Sam J. Johnson, both of Austin, and daughter Janet Johnson Holubec of San Antonio; granddaughters June Plunkett, Elizabeth Harris Clough and husband Chris, Amber Clements, Kathryn Page Harris, Ella O'Keefe Johnson and Caroline Page Johnson; great-grandchildren include Maggie Stewart, Emma and Jacob Plunkett, Lucy Nash Clough and Clara Johnson Clough. She is also survived by her sister Cindy Page Wolfshohl and family, sister-in-law Joan Harris and many loving nieces and nephews.
Family visitation will be Friday, March 18th from 6-8 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin. A celebration of June's life will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 2:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Dr., Austin.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Covenant Presbyterian Parlor Fund, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, Texas, 78757, The Helping Hand Home for Children, 3804 Avenue B, Austin 78751, or the Presbyterian Children's Homes of Texas, 4407 Bee Cave Rd., Suite 520, Austin, Texas 78746.
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