Zula Mae Light Johnson

Zula Mae Light Johnson, born on May 11, 1928, died peacefully with her children by her bedside on May 16, 2017, at the age of 89. Zula was the daughter of Earl Paris and Della Mathis Light of Kingsport, TN. She grew up in Lynn Garden, TN and graduated from Sullivan High School. Zula's mother said, "she could sing before she could walk." And that's what she did - beginning in her adolescence years singing at her church, Ketron Memorial, and many other church revivals. As a teenager, she sang many Sunday mornings for gospel services at WKTP radio station. Zula also sang for weddings and funerals.

During a bus stop in Knoxville, TN, returning from a youth church retreat, Zula met a handsome sailor going home on leave to visit his parents, Arthur and Eliza Johnson in Weber, City, VA, before going to Florida where he would be stationed. About one year later, Zula married that handsome sailor, Ross Patrick Johnson on June 29, 1946. They were devoted to each other for 65 years. During that time, they raised three children, Richard Earl, Susan Elaine and Michael Ross.

Ross worked with Eastman, which took the family to many places to live - Virginia, Illinois, Holland, Switzerland and Texas. During these moves, Zula always found a church and a choir with which to sing. She also had time to visit England, France, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Spain and Belgium with family and friends. Zula and Ross moved back to Kingsport when Ross retired in 1986. She found her church, First Broad Street United Methodist Church, where she became a member and of course, joined the choir. Zula enjoyed ceramic china painting, was a terrific bridge player, and played some golf. She also cooked 23 years for Meals on Wheels. After the death of their son, Richard, in 2009, and with Ross' health declining, they moved back to Texas to Christus St. Joseph Village in Coppell.

Zula was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Della, her husband Ross, son Richard, and sisters Bessie Copeland, Norma Blakely, and Peggy Ann Light.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Davis and husband Bill, of Houston, TX, son, Michael Johnson and wife Jodi, of Coppell, TX, daughter-in-law, Becky Johnson, of Lubbock, TX, seven grandchildren, Reagan Johnson and wife Ruth, Keely Brown and husband Kyle, Joshua Johnson, Blake Davis and wife Whitney, Ashley Reynolds and husband Mikey, Taylor Johnson and Thomas Johnson, four great-grandchildren, Isaac Johnson, and Slay, Ryker and Harper Mae Brown, sister, Earlene Kiser, of Orlando, FL, sisters-in-law Evelyn Johnson and Trula Johnson and many loved nieces, nephews and special friends.

Family and friends will be received from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport, TN. Funeral services will be held 10am Monday, May 22, 2017, at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport, TN with the Rev. Jack Weikel officiating.

Burial will follow at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, VA.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, the American Cancer Society, or Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, in Dallas, TX.

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