Flo Johnson

ASHDOWN, Arkansas – Leila Flo Spigner Johnson passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2015, surrounded by her family at her home in Ashdown, Arkansas. Born June 29, 1920, to James Thomas and Fannie Fawcett Spigner in Ben Lomond, Arkansas, and known fondly and widely as "Mama Flo," Mrs. Johnson was a mother, homemaker, school teacher, devout Christian, and devoted fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. She is preceded in death by her parents, by her husband and father of her children, Finos Buford Johnson, and by her five siblings: Lillie Spigner Sutton of Ben Lomond; Mary Alice Spigner Dillard of Nashville, Arkansas; William Rhoton Spigner of DeQueen, Arkansas; Benny Wesley Spigner of Ashdown, and Tommye E. Spigner Penney of Falls Chapel, Arkansas. Also preceding her in death was Sam "Pete" Johnson, whom she married several years after the passing of Finos, and step-son John Wayne Johnson of Houston. She had a bottomless reservoir of unconditional love for her large family including her three children and their spouses: Rebecca Flo Johnson "Becky" Gunter and James Hervey Gunter, of Ashdown; Dick Spigner Johnson and Juliette Newkirk Johnson, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Finos B. "Buddy" Johnson, Jr., and Elizabeth Findley Shores, of Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren Teri Lynn Bowman Day (David), Stephen Bowman (Christie), Molly Johnson, Sara Wasson (Thomas), Findley Johnson, and Layet Johnson; seven great-grandchildren; and two step-daughters, Julie Johnson Phipps of Schertz, Texas, and Gail Johnson Fuller of Huffman, Texas. Mrs. Johnson grew up in Ben Lomond, was graduated from high school at the age of 16, and attended Henderson State Teachers College, where she earned a certification in teaching. She taught school in Ben Lomond and later in Ashdown. She married Finos in 1944, and they made their home and raised their children in Ashdown. Several years after Finos's death in 1970, she married Sam Johnson and lived for a time in Houston, Texas, Seattle, Washington, and Anchorage, Alaska, before returning to Ashdown. A life-long member of the church of Christ, Mrs. Johnson was baptized in the Cossatot River near Paraclifta west of Ben Lomond. She was a beloved member of congregations in Ashdown and Ben Lomond and for a time was a member of Westbury church of Christ in Houston. She was the oldest active member of the Ashdown church of Christ. Mrs. Flo Johnson was one of the founding members of the Church of Christ in Ashdown, AR. Mrs. Johnson enjoyed playing bridge, following the Razorbacks, and volunteering for numerous church and community activities. Visitation is 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, at Ashdown Church of Christ, 270 Main Street, Ashdown. Funeral is 10 a.m. on Monday, July 6, at Ashdown church of Christ with David Formby officiaitng. Burial will follow at Ashdown Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ashdown church of Christ, 270 Main Street, Ashdown, AR, 71822, or to Children's Home, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR, 72450-3319. On-line registration maddenfuneralservice.com.