Sharon Johnson's Obituary
Decatur – Sharon (Sharri / Ma) Johnson, 79, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL. Sharri was born April 22, 1943, in Indianapolis, IN, a daughter to WM. and Betty Davis. Sharri was adopted on October 13th, 1943 by George and Lenora Hall.
Sharri was first married to Gerald (Jerry) Smith, and later to John (JP) Johnson. She graduated from North Central High School in Indianapolis, was a full time mother, her career consisted of being a school bus driver for Mt. Zion schools, Mt Zion Region Newspaper, and Electric Motor Service of Decatur.
Sharri had two sons, Steve Smith (Florence) and Russell Smith. She had three grandchildren, Stephen Bush, Miraha Burnes, Ben Burnes. Sharri had many siblings. Her adoptive siblings, brother, Steven Hall and sister, Jan Nelson. Her birth siblings were Ronald Davis, Kenneth Davis, WM L. Davis, Connie Davis, Sherry Davis, and Rex J Davis. Her Best Friend Forever is Patty Stemple. She is preceded in her death by both sets of her parents, her husband John Johnson, her sister Jan Nelson, her brothers, Kenneth Davis, WM Davis and her sisters, Connie Davis and Sherry Davis.
Sharri was involved with many hobbies and talents throughout her life. Being raised by the Halls in Indy was a blessing for her. She liked going to church, babysitting and in music class she loved to sing. She met Jerry, then married and had her sons. They moved to Mt Zion. Family trips back to Indy for many years while her children grew up were the normal. They loved taking the boys to the local hotspots and having large family gatherings. Her hobbies then were raising her sons, playing cards with her girlfriends, traveling to bluegrass festivals where she would play the bass fiddle. Her second marriage was to John Johnson in 1980. Their love for one another was pure and forever. They are together again. She also was an avid oil painter. Bob Ross was her mentor then. She painted on everything, saw blades, canvas, and interior walls of homes and made money doing it. She loved to garden and make canned goods too. Knitting and sewing were some of her favorites. Among her prized talents she shared were the many baby hats she would knit constantly for the hospitals. She loved babies and she just wanted to hold them and love them. Her school bus years were as much a hobby as a job. Her kids were just that, hers. They loved her back as much too. She had her best friend Patty Stemple and they were a hobby themselves. Growing up with Jerry and Patty Stemple was another blessing for us kids and the adults too! We were one big family for many years and still are. She found her most recent hobby in sea glass and mermaids. Traveling to see her girlfriends by the ocean in the northeast and search for sea glass and watch the ocean. She loved to watch deer hunting on tv and when her sons went to deer camp, Ernie and her went to deer camp with them. She loved spending time with the group of guys that came from all over for a couple weeks for so many years. She would bring food and happiness to us, which made her happy too. She was everyones Ma. Most recently her time was spent watching her singing talent and gold discovery shows while loving her dog Ernie.
The family would like the thank the wonderful staff at Decatur Memorial Hospital and Elara Caring staff for their compassion and caring. Words cannot describe her love for the nurses.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in memory of Sharri at Decatur Memorial Foundation, https://memorial.health/foundations/decatur-memorial-foundation/memorial-health-foundations-decatur-memorial-foundation-give/
Graveside service will be Friday, Sept 23rd, 2022 at 1:00 pm, Union Cemetery located at 6612 Kirby Rd, Oreana, IL 62254.
Arrangements by Moran and Goebel Funeral Home 2801 Monroe St. Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at: https://www.moranandgoebel.com/
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