Patsy Ruth Sampson Johnson

Patsy Ruth Sampson Johnson of Kingsport, passed away a little after midnight on April 21, 2020 at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol, TN.  This beautiful, sweet, caring lady, that God blessed us with to call our Mom has now entered into her heavenly home. She was affectionately known as Mamaw Patsy to many.

She was born to W.R. and Frances Evelyn Sampson on June 23, 1930.  She was in the graduation class of 1948 at Dobyns-Bennett High School.  Patsy started working at Eastman and later left, after meeting and marrying our Dad, James C. (Jim) Johnson, to start a family. She loved all the places they lived while dad served in the U.S. Navy and all the people she met that became lifelong friends. After Dad retired they settled down in Kingsport and Mom continued to be a homemaker. Her hobbies were reading her Bible and raising her children, taking us to doctor and dentist appointments, swimming lessons, bible school, horse crickers at Eastman and everywhere else.  Never complaining, our friends became her friends.  After Dad passed, leaving Mom a widow at age 48, she later went back to work at ARA Services.  She met and made many friends while there.  Mom was a member of Fort Robinson Baptist Church for many years. She was saved and baptized at an early age. When Mom was able, she would take family, friends and neighbors to doctor appointments, to the drugstore, the grocery store, and beauty salon. She had a deep, passionate love for her Lord and she represented God well while she was on this earth.  Patsy loved her church family, her family, and her many friends.  She helped to plan her Dobyns-Bennett High School class reunions and attended her 70^th class reunion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James C. (Jim) Johnson in 1980; sisters, Phyllis (Joe) Tuggle, and Nola (Bud) Brooks; and brothers, Alfred (Jessie) Sampson, and Bill Sampson.

Patsy is survived by her daughters, Marcia (Steven) Gulledge, and Linda (Terry) Roberts; sons, Bill (Sandy) Johnson, and Michael Johnson; grandchildren, Autumn (Rob) Hoover, George (Jessica) Johnson, Aubrey (Stephanie) Johnson, Casey (Chad) Thomas, and Cody Roberts and fiancée, Abby Mclemore; great-grandchildren, Austin Johnson, Riley Johnson, Reese Hoover, Logan Johnson, Mason Thomas, Gracie Thomas, Addilyn Thomas, Wyatt Johnson, Jon Lettau and Owen Lettau; brother, Lonnie (Louise) Sampson; sister-in-law, Mildred Sampson; her lifelong friends and neighbors, Lorraine Moody, Billie Roberts, Betty Watson, Mavis Moore, Charlene Clark, Shirley Royal and Jack Benton who were so good to our mom.

A special thanks to her niece, Connie Walton and Aunt Mildred for checking on mom and taking her to church as health would permit.  And a special thanks to the staff on the 5^th floor at Select Specialty Hospital, and to Dr. Adams, Dr. Holt, her RT Ambria and her nurse, Crystal.

Due to the COVID-19 virus the family is having a private family graveside service at Oak Hill Memorial Park with Pastor Dustin Allman officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mom to Fort Robinson Baptist Church, Attn:  Treasurer, 2012 Fort Robinson Dr. Kingsport, TN 37660, or online at www.TheFortKingsport.com.