Reba Mable Johnson

Our dear mother, Reba Mable Tew Johnson of Logan, Utah, passed away in the loving arms of her family and the care of Alpine Hospice, on Sunday December 27, 2009.

Reba was born on April 21, 1922 in Leslie, Idaho. She was the fifth of nine children born to Warren and Vera Tew. Her family moved to Shelley, Idaho before she was three years old and that was where she spent her childhood, working and playing alongside her brothers and sisters on their family farm. She attended Stanton School through the eighth grade and graduated from Shelley High School in May of 1940.

She married her high school sweetheart, Blaylock Johnson, in 1940 and was sealed to him in 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1945, Blaylock was activated into military service, leaving Reba to care for their 4 young children. When he returned, they continued to rear a family and run a farm in Shelley and later in Blackfoot, Idaho.

In 1963, Blay and Reba moved their family to Smithfield, Utah to begin a new life as students at Utah State University. They graduated together from the USU College of Education in 1966. She taught 6th grade for one year at Lakeview Elementary School in Brigham City, Utah before returning to Utah State with her husband to obtain a Masters Degree. In 1969, they both completed their Masters Degree in Special Education and started their teaching careers. During the next 2 decades, she taught school at Summit, North Park and Park Elementary schools in the Cache County School District. She had a profound impact on many students with learning challenges as she had a great desire to see them achieve their potential.

When she retired in 1988, she and Blay filled their life with new adventures. They traveled extensively, enjoying each new experience and place they visited. In 1989, they accepted a call to serve in the Coventry, England Mission. They treasured the time spent together in England, working, serving and making friends that would last a lifetime. When they returned, they served as officiators in the Logan LDS Temple for 9 years. She spent her lifetime serving her church, her friends and her beloved family. She found joy in her growing posterity, taking an active interest their lives.

She is survived by her 10 children: Steven (Amy) Honeyville, Utah; Marilyn Beck (Darrell) Idaho Falls, Idaho; Brent (Marilyn) Ogden, Utah; Sheryl Roper Hodges, North Logan, Utah; Lynette Dickey (David) Millville; Nolan, Redondo Beach, California; Bryce (Robyn) Boise, Idaho; Rosemary Christiansen (Clair) Newton, Utah; Bryan (Debbie) Orem, Utah; Ranae Wyatt (Gary) Emporia, Kansas. She is also survived by a sister, Vivian Dredge-Washington, Utah; 40 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a son-in-law-Spencer Roper, two grandchildren-Raymond and Shane Johnson; three sisters (Klea, Elaine and Inez) and four brothers (Rodney, Earl, Floyd and Orson).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 2, 2010 at the Lundstrom Park First Ward, 1260 North 1600 East Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday January 1st from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, Utah. A viewing will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the Lundstrom Park First Ward before the funeral. Interment will be at approximately 3:00 P.M. in the Fielding Memorial Cemetery in Idaho Falls, Idaho under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.