Patsy Johnson

Patsy "Pat" Ann Mikel Johnson, age 90 of Cleveland, TN went home to heaven on Friday, September 20th, her wedding anniversary. Psalms 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Pat was born in Cleveland on September 5, 1934 to Effie Hill Mikel and James Alma Mikel. She attended Bradley County Schools and was a proud graduate of Bradley Central High School Class of 1952. While there she met and fell in love with David Samuel Johnson from the Pine Hill community, McDonald, TN. After graduating, Pat attended Bethel College in McKenzie, TN, for a year during which time David attended Tennessee Tech. The couple found it difficult to be apart, deciding to be married on September 20, 1953 at Pat's home church, First Cumberland Presbyterian in Cleveland. Pat and David moved to Knoxville where David attended the University of Tennessee, while Pat worked at the Hamilton National Bank in downtown Knoxville. They enjoyed telling the story of living in the attic space with fold down stairs in their first apartment. After their son Mikel "Mike" was born, they returned to their hometown, where David went to work for a new company called Bowater. Pat was a stay at home mom until returning to work as a kindergarten teachers assistant at Arnold Elementary. After retirement, she returned to college, graduating with honors. Pat had the gift of hospitality, and loved hosting parties for family, friends and her church groups. She also enjoyed working beside her best friend David on class reunion committees, family geneology, Bradley County historical society functions, as well as numerous church related roles such as Sunday School, VBS, youth group, Logos, Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Group, choir, and the Joy Club. She assisted with writing and publishing the Cleveland First Cumberland Presbyterian History book, published in 1989. Among other hobbies were sewing perfectly crafted cross stitch pieces, and being a voracious reader of various genres of books. Her longtime friends were treasures, and many a good time was had dining on their Friday night Golden Girls outings at Pokey's Bar & Grill, which gave us all a laugh. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Pat was predeceased by loving husband of more than 50 years David Samuel Johnson, her parents, Effie "Effo" and Alma Mikel, siblings James Jerry, Alma Jean and the Reverend Phillip Edward Mikel. Family members include son Mikel "Mike" Johnson (Dianna), daughter Myra Rasmussen (Bill), grandchildren Logan Johnson, Lindsey Ownby (Chris), Erin Fennell (Jack), Phillip Sanson (Kristen), Matthew Rasmussen (Andrea), and Jessica Rasmussen. Also included are her great-grandchildren Isaac Ownby, Hannah Ownby, Sabrina Fennell, Gilbert Rasmussen and Kylee Raper, sister-in-law Linda Johnson, Robin Drinkuth (Bill), nephew Barry Johnson (Melanie), nephew the Reverend Jason Mikel (Suzanne), and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Included alongside our family are our incredible current caregivers Heather Guthrie, Shannon Grow, Nequia Witter, Leslie Odom, Rhonda Curry, Linda Thompson, Patsy Holness, Harrison Smith and Hospice of Cleveland. Celebration of Life service will be held at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 200 Church Street in Cleveland, on Friday at 1 p.m. with the Reverend Doctor Ron Stone officiating. Reception and receiving of friends will immediately follow the service in the Morelock Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bradley County Historical and Geneological Society, 833 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37312. You are encouraged to share a memory of Pat and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist her family with these arrangements.