Obituary of Theresa Jane Johnson

“It’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years.” Theresa Jane Johnson’s life was a perfect example of service before self. She worked hard, loved even harder, and gave her heart and soul to taking care of those in need.

On October 9, 2021, the world lost a beautiful soul. Theresa received her angel wings after a hard fought battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by her husband, daughters and sister at the home she loved. Although cancer ravished her body, it never touched her spirit or her faith in God. In her final days she continued to sing, pray, and praise the lord.

Theresa Jane Johnson was born on January 18, 1955 in Carthage, Texas to the late Mary Jane Lewis and Osia Delmer Lewis, Jr. In addition to both her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Linda Lewis, brothers Elvin Page, Al Lewis, Marvin Lewis, and Osia Delmer Lewis III. 

She is survived by her husband of 47 years Colonel USAF (R) Larry Johnson of Kernersville, NC, her daughters Christina Royster of Cary, NC and Tiiffany Johnson of Queens, NY, and her only granddaughter, Amaya Royster of Cary, NC.  She is also survived by her siblings Marilyn Lewis of Tempe, AZ, Joseph Lewis of Tucson, AZ, Sandra Madison of Tucson, AZ, Sophia Lewis of Tucson, AZ, and Steven Lewis of Gilbert, AZ. Theresa is also survived by a myriad of nieces, nephews, extended family, and tons of friends.  

Theresa Johnson was a faithful attendee of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. As a young adult, Theresa was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona where she sang in the choir. She was a also graduate of Tucson High School where she was a founding member of the Tucson High School drill team and a leader in the Girls Club. After high school, Theresa attended The University of Arizona where she met her loving husband and received her Bachelors Degree in Political Science in 1977. She received her Masters Degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas in 1987. 

Theresa lived a very full life and filled it with so many extraordinary feats and accomplishments. As a military spouse, she traveled the world extensively with her family. Her travels took her throughout Europe with extended stays in Germany, England, and numerous stateside assignments. In 2015, Theresa and her husband took on the challenge of a difficult assignment in Afghanistan with the U.S. State Department. Theresa served as a mental health therapist in Kabul, Afghanistan, to the Embassy staff; rendering excellent clinical services, and introducing innovative programs for managing stress in a high threat environment. She was also a member of the casualty trauma team. While there, Theresa received the United States Department of State Certificate of Appreciation for her service. Her personal travel took her to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Trinidad, Dubai, Cuba and many other once-in-a-lifetime places. Theresa held many positions as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), most recently serving her community as the Director of Counseling at Family Services of the Piedmont for over 15 years. In addition to being a LCSW, she was a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, a Master Addiction Counselor, and was instrumental in the development of the Child Wellness Center of High Point. Theresa held many positions throughout her life, but she was most proud of her titles of wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, co-worker, mentor, and colleague.

The family will receive Visitation of friends on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral home in Kernersville, NC. The funeral service will take place at Trinity Baptist Church, Tucson AZ with final internment to take place at Southlawn Cemetery in Tucson, AZ. Online condolences may be left at www.pierce-jeffersonfuneralservice.com