Barbara Keller Johnson, Assaria
Obituary | Barbara Keller Johnson of Assaria, Kansas | Wilson Family Funeral Home
April 30, 1953 - August 30, 2021
Barbara Keller Johnson joined the heavenly family of angels on August 30, 2021 where she continues to watch over all of her family and friends across the country.
Barbara Gene was born on April 30, 1953 in Winchester, Virginia to Kenneth and Gene Maphis Keller. Her generous heart and spirit made her the best daughter, sister, friend, teacher, and so many more titles. She lived briefly in a few locations with her parents before the young family settled in Toms Brook, VA, home to both of her parents.
She was a rock that helped her grandparents with gardening and other projects on their small farm, contributed in many ways to the family truck stop, and served as a role model to her three siblings, even saving her youngest brother from drowning when he impulsively jumped into a hotel pool as a non-swimmer.
She also enjoyed learning new hobbies and sharing with others – playing the organ at church, photographing family and friends and developing the pictures in the dark room, teaching her dad (and many others) to ski, taking her niece to her first concert, and painting fun pictures for her family.
Her love of music led her to Shenandoah University and later James Madison University, eventually allowing her to teach four decades of children and young adults to appreciate and perform choral and instrumental art. Barbara began her teaching career at Culpeper High School, where she built a thriving choral program that accommodated singers of all talents. Beyond music, she helped her students to grow to their full potential and experience the broader world. As her family of origin grew, she didn’t have in-laws…she simply gained more siblings and became a beloved grandmother.
Barbara’s biggest adventure occurred when she met and married Randy Johnson and relocated to Kansas after driving her cat, Sylvester, and a jam-packed car to Salina. Barbara and Randy enjoyed many happy years together, settling in Assaria, Kansas where she could indulge in her love of growing both flowers and vegetables under the clear blue skies. She and Randy shared many interests, including a love of the outdoors. Randy introduced her to the beauty of Glen Elder, where they spent many happy hours hunting from his duck blind or fishing from his boat. She loved to photograph the enormous flocks of geese that flew through the area on their annual seasonal migrations. She and Randy also enjoyed football and were often neck and neck in the friendly NFL pool in which they participated with other friends and co-workers. They also shared a deep love for history, particularly the Civil War and World War II eras, and would spend hours reading and discussing the finer points of those troubled times.
Their most joyous roles, however, were as Papaw and Mamaw to the children of Randy’s son John and his wife Kelley: Riley, Emma, Ellie, Morgan, and MacKenzie. Papaw and Mamaw loved their grandchildren with all their hearts, and delighted in each minute spent with them, whether it was teaching them how to drive the lawn mower tractors, make killer deviled eggs, or create tie-dye shirts. Many happy hours were spent just hanging out on the front porch, trading stories, eating frozen pops, and playing Simon Says. Barbara truly delighted in reprising the pivotal role her own grandmother had played in her life, including laughing at many knock-knock jokes!
Her patience, compassion, and sunny nature endeared her to her students, co-workers, and administrators at Hope, Bennington and Tescott, where she had retired from teaching at the end of last spring. She loved working with children and teens of all ages, and always provided an understanding ear and gentle encouragement when necessary. Not every teacher can successfully work with—and enjoy— children ages kindergarten through 12th grade, but she had the skills required to appreciate all ages and bring out the best in her students.
Although we will sorely miss Barbara in our lives, we are grateful to have had this wonderful person as a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, and teacher, and know she will remain forever in our hearts. We can all take some comfort in knowing she now sings her songs with the angels, and flies with the butterflies.
Memorial services will be announced.