Bobbie Jean Anderson Johnson

Bobbie Jean Anderson Johnson, 84, of Corsicana, passed away on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. She was born on Jan. 4, 1931, in Refugio to Ray and Clara Jane Anderson. She married William Gunn “Bill” Johnson on Dec. 18, 1953 and together they raised a family of three children, two grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Bobbie graduated from Dayton High School, attended Sam Houston State University, and graduated from East Texas State University — now known as Texas A&M University-Commerce — with her Bachelor’s Degree. Later, she obtained her Master’s Degree from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University. 

She began her career as an assistant home extension agent in Tyler, then transferred to Wharton to be closer to Bill Johnson, who was an assistant agricultural extension agent in Victoria. They married on Dec. 18, 1953.   

After her marriage to Bill, the couple resided in Victoria until 1955 at which time Bill was transferred to La Grange. Bobbie began her teaching career in La Grange teaching English. 

In 1958 Bill and Bobbie moved to Gonzales so he could come back to help on the family ranch during the drought. Along with raising their three children Jean, Lea Ann and Tom, Bobbie taught English at Gonzales High School and then reading at Gonzales Junior High School. She went on to become assistant and then principal at Gonzales Junior High School, the first female principal in GISD. 

In the mid-1980s, Bill and Bobbie sold Johnson’s True Value Hardware in Gonzales and moved to Corsicana to open a family owned Exxon fuel business. In Corsicana, Bobbie taught homemaking until her retirement. Over the years, they welcomed their two grandchildren, Lana and Greyson, and their three great-grandsons, Will, Jack and Cole.

Bobbie was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales and then FUMC in Corsicana. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Women having recently retired as secretary. She was a long time member of the Gonzales Spade and Trowel Garden Club. 

Bobbie was an active member of the Newcomer’s Club in Corsicana for many years.  She loved to play bridge with her friends everywhere she lived. Bobbie will always be remembered for her wonderful sewing and cooking talents. Although her family asked her to write a cookbook, she never found the time. 

Bobbie is survived by her loving husband of almost 62 years, William Gunn (Bill) Johnson of Corsicana; daughter and son-in law, Jean and Norman Burns of New Braunfels and Gonzales; daughter, Lea Ann Johnson of Austin and son and daughter-in-law, Thomas William (Tom) and Sissy Johnson; grandson, Greyson Peterek, and granddaughter, Lana Peterek DuBose, and her husband, Sean; great-grandsons, Will, Jack, and Cole; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Springs and husband, Albert, and Ruby Lindeman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by an infant son; her parents, Ray and Clara Jane Anderson; sister, Jacqueline Payne and husband, Barney; brothers-in-law, Fletcher Johnson, and wife, Jane, and Buddy Lindeman.  

A visitation was Monday, Nov. 23 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with services held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the First United Methodist Church in Gonzales with Pastor Andy Smith and Warren Hornung presiding. Interment will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. 

Pallbearers are Bob Springs, Mike Springs, David Lindeman, Gary Payne, Brent Christian and Tres Peterson. 

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales or the charity of one’s choice.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.