JOHNSON, Nellie Elizabeth (Watts) - b. January 21, 1936 - d. January 19, 2024

[patyrn]

Nellie Elizabeth Johnson of Severy, Kansas got her wings at the age of 87 two days before her 88th birthday on January 19, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.  She was born on January 21, 1936 in Neal, Kansas to Arthur and Anna (Crouch) Watts.

Nellie married Kenneth Dale Johnson on February 27, 1953 in El Dorado, Kansas.  They started their home in an old white farmhouse west of Augusta, Kansas.  Later, they moved to a chicken house made into apartments.  Eight children were born to this marriage.  Nellie and husband, Kenneth, had lived in many places:  Alaska, Kansas, and California.  They settled down in Severy, Kansas.

Nellie had many jobs as a homemaker, farmer's wife, bookkeeper for her husband's businesses, cleaning military housing, and Howard Twilight Manor Nursing Home in the Laundry and Cleaning Department.  She belonged to the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.

Nellie is survived by her son, Delane Johnson of the home, Dale (Wayne) McDaniel of Willow Springs, Missouri, Doyle (Delores) Johnson of Severy, Kansas, Lynn (Christy) Johnson of Severy, Kansas; Becky Shepherd of Eureka, Kansas, Doreen (George) Rogers of Stinnett, Texas, Kendall (Melissa) Johnson of Howard, Kansas, and Debra (Scott) Greer of Elk City, Kansas; 25 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; 4 great-great grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild on the way;  and three sisters, Sharon Hellman, JoAnn Ashlock, and Anna Mae Hare.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Johnson; son-in-law, Mike Shepherd; granddaughter, Joy Johnson;  step grandson, Zachary Beshirs; brothers, Bert Watts, Walter Watts, Kenny Watts, John Watts, and Arthur Ray Watts; and sisters, Faye Johnson, Adeline Hobbs, Alma Lee Schlotterbeck, and Dolly Ashlock. 

The family will receive friends at visitation on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
 Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home with interment to follow in Cresco Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)