Dorothy Frances Scott Johnson's Obituary
Dorothy Frances Scott "Scottie" Johnson died peacefully in her home on January 9, 2011, with her two loving daughters and dog Snuggles by her side. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 7, 1924, the daughter of Cecil Wray Scott and Algie Lamkin Scott. She grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as her family's hometown of Clinton, Kentucky. She never forgot her experiences in South Dakota, retaining deep respect for Native Americans and reverence for nature as evidenced in the rock collection she kept her whole life. She attended Western Kentucky University before relocating to St. Louis to attend Barnes Hospital Laboratory Technician program. She met the love of her life, Eugene Parr Johnson, while sharing a microscope with the young medical student. They were married on December 26, 1945. Economic realities prevented her from attending medical school but not from working as a lab tech in order to insure her husband's graduation while living in a cold water flat equipped with a milk crate window hoist "refrigerator." However, for 50 cents "standing room only," they were honored to hear Paul Robeson perform at the Kiel Opera House, making day old rolls and frozen milk more tolerable. While Eugene worked at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Scottie settled down in a cottage in Channel Lake, Illinois. She remained there until joining her husband on the island of Koror, Palau, in the West Caroline Islands in 1948. Befriending an oceanographer of Japanese descent who had hidden on the island, Scottie returned to the states in 1949 with three trunks full of deep water shells later donated to a museum. While Eugene settled into medical practice at the Johnson Clinic in Casey with his father, Dr. L. H. Johnson, brother, Dr. Howard G. Johnson and fellow Navy friend, Dr. Julian Lorenz, Scottie worked as a lab tech at the Clinic and medical assistant at the Casey Medical Center as well as keep house and raise her children. Scottie was the first woman elected to the school board in Clark County, serving in the sixties. She was a member of B.P.W. before settling into Civic League and Toast Mistress Club. An issue oriented person, she could be found evenings holding court at the kitchen table discussing the news of the day and teaching her two daughters to stand up for their beliefs during the turbulent sixties. But, like many women, her largest contribution was standing beside and supporting her husband through thick and thin and "Illinois state politics" as he chose to serve the Illinois State Medical society as President and in other roles influencing medicine as practiced in the state. Again, a silver lining, she saw more of him when he was "only home weekends" than she had during his years of private practice with an office less than a mile from home. As her children grew older, she became "one of the gang," giving Christmas Eve parties after church services to which all were invited. She danced. They danced. Their friends became her friends and were always welcome to drop by anytime they were in town. Big band music was heard and a good time was had by all. She is survived by her two daughters, Priscilla Kay "P.K." Johnson of Brooklyn, NY, and Sara Jane Johnson of Bloomington, IN; sister-in-law, Mary Johnson of Casey; nephew, Kent Johnson, Casey and his daughter and son-in-law, Lorana and Dustin McCall; nephew, Dr. James H. Johnson and wife Eva, Athens, Ohio and their children Joshua and Mir; niece, Dr. Barbara Epstein, Berkley, CA; as well as Scottie's Chihuahua Snuggle Bug and many wonderful friends and neighbors who are so valued. Some might remember Scottie for her "Charleston" or "Jitterbug"; others remember her wonderful laugh at a wry joke; still others might remember her never ceasing fortitude and determination. Her daughters will tell you there was no more beautiful sight than her smile. Memorials may be made to the Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, SD 57770-2100; Casey First Christian Church, 200 SE Eighth St., Casey, IL 62420; or the CIA (Casey In Action) Animal Shelter Committee, P.O. Box 425, Casey, IL 62420. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, IL with Rev. Dana Zartman and Rev. Dana Newhouse officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the service time at the funeral home. Memorial tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL assisted the family with the arrangements. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, January 22, 2011 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Markwell Funeral Home 200 N Central Ave Casey, IL 62420 Service Saturday, January 22, 2011 11:30 AM Markwell Funeral Home 200 N Central Ave Casey, IL 62420
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