Sister Rita Carroll Johnson

Rita Carroll Johnson was born on November 29th, 1953, to parents Odie Mae Turner and Ralph Scott in the small town of Jefferson, TX in the piney woods of east Texas. She was raised by her grandfather "Pop" Boose and "Mama Sally Turner until she moved to Dallas, TX in her teens. She would often reminisce of her times living in east Texas with stories of running up and down the road eating from the various berry bushes and picking fruit such as figs and peaches from the trees. She told the story many times of the giant hog that her grandfather kept as a pet that would chase her, and only her, whenever it would see her. She would often recall her grandfather taking her to the market on his horse and carriage and buying candy and Coca-Cola for her, her siblings, and her cousins.
Rita was very vibrant and full of life. Although she was loud and boisterous, she also had a quiet, humble spirit that made her very approachable. She was loved by all those who were blessed enough to get to know her. Rita lived to help others. There were times when it seemed that helping others was her life's mission. She was always seen either giving advice or going out of her way to help others in need. Her ear was always there for anyone who needed to be listened to and heard. Along with her many years of volunteer work at Mission Oak Cliff, Rita began her career as a life insurance agent in 2004 with American National Life Insurance and later, Kemper Life Insurance where she made many lifelong friends
She will be remembered for her love of the outdoors and nature. Rita loved to fish and sit by the quiet waters and reflect on the goodness of God. Rita loved animals, especially her dogs Nike, Charlie, Sky, Mikey, Jake, and Achilles. She loved every one of them and referred to all of them as her "babies." Rita loved to watch television, and it was known by everyone who knew her not to bother her when the new episodes of Moonshiners or Gold Rush were on. Rita was also an accomplished cook and was a master at cooking many soul food classics.
Rita is survived by her only son, Jonathan Johnson, and her siblings: Tennyson Harris, Booker T. Harris, Karl Punch, and Bobbye Fridia Wilson. Rita will be remembered for breathing life into any room that she walked into and providing much help, wisdom, and life experience for anyone in need. She would want to be remembered with laughter and good memories and not tears and sorrow. The world lost a wonderful soul, but God gained one of his best soldiers.