Kathryn Beryl Johnson, 80, of Beaumont passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, surrounded by her family and friends. She had just recently celebrated her 80th birthday.
Beryl was born in Houston, Texas on January 22, 1932, to Raymond and Kathryn Derby. She graduated from the University of Houston in 1953 with a degree in education and forged many lifelong friendships while teaching school in both Houston and Beaumont. She married her husband, Benjamin Johnson on August 22, 1959.
She was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont for more than fifty years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Altar Guild and volunteering at the annual chili supper and at the Treasure House. Whether it was a ride to the grocery store for a friend who couldn’t drive or caring for her Alzheimer’s-stricken mother in her home, Beryl was a compassionate person who was always helping others in need. After many years of serving others, she was blessed by others with the same tender care at the end of her life.
Survivors include her husband of fifty-two years, Benjamin Johnson; daughter Kathy Meissner and her husband, Philip of Flower Mound; sons, David Johnson and his wife, Deanne of Madison, Alabama and Tom Johnson of Beaumont; and five grandchildren Robert Meissner, Lincoln Meissner, Garrett Meissner, Nathan Johnson and Maddie Johnson.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012, in the Cloister at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. A memorial service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Research Fund, 2242 West Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030-2008; or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Altar Guild, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701-2303.
