Kathryn "Kay" (Melton) Johnson

Jesus, you said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”

Your people are mourning here today.  Send your comfort now.

Wrap your arms around them and hold them tight.

We pray that Grief move through each of them gently.

Send your angels of Mercy to shower comfort on those around me.

Amen

Obituary

Kathryn “Kay” Jane Johnson of Flippin AR., passed away, November 27, 2021, in Mtn. Home AR. at the age of 71 years.

She was born in Mtn. Home, AR. The daughter of Lucian & Della Melton. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is preceded in death by her Father Lucian Melton, Mother Della (Duggins) Melton, Her Brothers: Donald ‘Butch’ Melton and Richard Melton, and sister Mary Ann Pappas.

Kay is survived by her children:  Her daughter Penny (Rob) Blanton-Dean of Diamond City, Granddaughter, Katlynne (Jordan) Crow and, Great Grandchildren, Keegan and Elena Crow of Harrison, and her son, Donald Dwain (Shannon) Johnson of Harrison.  Surviving family includes her Sisters: Carol (Steve) Bobrycki of Mtn. Home, Linda Sawyer of Mtn. Home and Brother Terry (Sandie) Melton of Flippin, and many nieces and nephews. 

Kay was born into this world a healthy beautiful little girl. at the age of 7 she had an aneurysm, over the next several years she had multiple brain operations.  Let’s not forget that during those years, just how rare these types of surgeries were.  But Kay was just as rare.   There was a different plan for her.

Kay survived all of these operations (I believe 4?), leaving her with challenges over the course of her life, that most of us never think about:  from learning to walk, eat and adjust to the simplest daily tasks.    She was very determined and worked hard to overcome many obstacles.  

From the beginning, life was a challenge, things never came easy for her.  However, she always made the best of the hand she was delt.  She was quirky in her own way and loved to make jokes and make people laugh, (although she needed help herself), she was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. 

At the age of 17 she married and began her family.  She had two children that she adored.

Kay never knew a stranger.  She enjoyed getting out and meeting people. She enjoyed a good drive around town, she could always find somewhere to go even if it was just to get out of the house, grab a burger or some ice cream and see what was going on around the neighborhood. 

Key drove so much that her dad would buy her a new car quite often - because she could easily run a car up over a 100 thousand miles…all within 10 miles of home!  

She loved sweets, her favorite was “chocolate covered cherries”  - Mamaw always had a stash in the top dresser drawer in the blue room that she liked to sneak into and eat.  (Of course, Mamaw always knew who the culprit was.)

She enjoyed listening to many types of music, her favorite singer was Vince Gill, she would play his songs over and over and talk about how much she loved his voice.   She loved watching old Elvis movies with her granddaughter.   

She became a grandmother and a great grandmother. She loved spending time with her granddaughter and two great grandchildren, she loved watching the babies grow. 

Later in her life, she took up fishing.  She really enjoyed sitting on the creek bank catching bass, and under the cotter bridge fishing for trout. She was always hoping for the next big one!

Kay made many friends during her stay at the retirement center where she called home for several years.  She and her friends would sit on the porch and people watch and talk about the happenings around town. 

She enjoyed checkers and Yahtzee – but was well known as a fierce Monopoly competitor! 

The family would like to leave you with these verses today:

 John 11:25 – Jesus said to her: ‘I am – the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.

1st Thessalonians 4:14.  For WE believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe, that GOD will bring with Jesus, those who have fallen asleep in him.  

Father.  We entrust our sister to your mercy.

You loved her greatly in this life:

now that she is freed from all its cares, Give her happiness and peace forever.

Welcome her now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain,

But only peace and joy with Jesus your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.