Johnson

Jessie May (Gustafson) Johnson, 83, of Worden, Ill., peacefully passed away at Alhambra Rehab and Healthcare in Alhambra, Ill. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. She was born July 2, 1940 in Chicago the daughter of the late Arthur Leslie and Mary Matilda (Longwood) Gustafson who both preceded her in death.

She married Clayton Palmer Johnson on Aug. 29, 1959 at St. Stephen’s Church in Chicago. The two shared a loving marriage for 64 years and her husband preceded her in death.

Jessie was a patient and gentle soul who preferred spending time with children and animals possibly more than adults. A natural educator, she saw teaching as her true passion, and spent many years as a Special Ed teacher, working with high schoolers and the hearing impaired. She carried this love of teaching into her roles as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passing on her ASL skills to the children in her family. She was also a devout Christian and a member of Net Community Church of Staunton. Whether teaching VBS and Sunday School or doing her daily devotions, she dedicated every moment to Christ.

Jessie lived a healthy and active lifestyle. Her penchant for organic food was overshadowed only by her undeniable sweet tooth. She was an avid swimmer her entire life, swimming 200 laps almost daily for decades.

In her youth, she spent her summers riding horses bareback on the family cattle ranch in S.D. Whether sitting on her porch or taking the dogs for a walk, she always felt the most at peace when spending time in nature. She was also an animal lover, and was lovingly referred to by family as “the crazy dog lady,” due to her acceptance and love towards any stray cat or dog. With a kind-heartedness rivaled by few, Jessie’s caring nature was felt by every person or critter that crossed her path.

She is survived by three sons, Steve (Debbie) Johnson of Staunton, Clayton Johnson of Batavia, Ill., and Kenneth Johnson of Ellsworth, Ill .; one daughter, Beth (TJ) Helmerich of North Hollywood, Calif .; ten grandchildren, Bram, Rory, James, Melissa, Zachary, Colin, Grace, Eric, Hannah, and Maxwell; seven great-grandchildren, Margot, Molly, Matilda, Millie, Lucas, Mabel, and Mina; siblings, Alice McGee of Brownsville, Texas and Don Gustafson of Tomahawk, Wis .; and several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by two daughters-in-law, Debra Johnson and Jodi Borger-Johnson.

A joint memorial service for Jessie and Clay Johnson will be held in the coming year, the details will be provided at a later time. Memorials are suggested to either the Net Community Church of Staunton or the Special Olympics.

Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton is in charge of arrangements. Anybody wishing to send an online condolence may do so at http://www.williamsonfh.com.