Sharon Kay Johnson, 69, joined her Heavenly Father on March 23, 2019, exactly the way she wanted: in her dream home, peacefully, while she was sleeping.

Sharon leaves behind a family she was very proud of, which you knew if you crossed her path for more than three seconds because she would tell you everything about them (even those things that one didn’t necessarily want made public). Her spirit lives on in her husband, Danny, who still adoringly carries a picture of her in his wallet that was captured on their very first date over 50 years ago. Sharon will be deeply missed by her three children, Michelle, Anita and Joe; her sisters, Kathie, Sarah, and Connie; her brothers in-law Bill and Mike; her grandchildren, Lane, Katherine, Joseph, and Natalie; her great grandchild, Jay; her spoiled, beloved service dog, Liebling; and a host of other extended family of relations, nieces, nephews, and friends from all walks of life. She also left behind her dream home (which is undergoing renovations and will be complete using her detailed, precise, specific and exact specifications). Sharon left behind over 500 movies that she loved to watch and a multitude of half-eaten bags of bite sized candy bars. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Mary Griffin, and A.D. and Imogene Johnson.

Throughout her entire life, Sharon held an unwavering faith in God and the power of prayer, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She was world-renowned for being genuine to a fault. She always told those around her exactly what was running through her mind. She was also known her ability to put her foot in her mouth while participating in the most benign conversations. You may read this and recall some of those conversations with her that both touched your heart and made you laugh.

Sharon was considered an extraordinary cook (it was extraordinary if she could cook something without turning it into a charcoal briquette). To be fair, she didn’t really have time for cooking, as she spent most of her life following her passion, as a gifted silversmith and goldsmith. Although she began her working career as a draftsman, her overwhelmingly curiosity and love for creating jewelry became so great that she asked have her remains turned into a diamond. Many will remember visiting her in her jewelry shop, first in Branson and then in Ozark, and to only find her covered in a black buffing compound and a beautiful smile on her face.

Sharon was known for her love of nature and being an avid outdoorsman. She paid little attention to people who insisted that she go out shopping with the girls rather than go hunting with her husband. Her persistence was extraordinary as she demonstrated later in life; she would never allow her limited mobility to stop her. She joined the hunt with a cane in one hand and her AR-15 in the other, while her service dog dutifully followed along on the adventure.

Everyone who knew her loved her dearly and will never forget her or the life lessons she imparted: never throw anything away (you can reuse it or give it to someone who needs it), give all you can to those in need, love all animals as deeply as you would love a human, always eat dessert before and after every meal (even breakfast), and never be afraid to use your bra as a holster or an extra set of pockets.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 1 p.m. at James River Church South Campus in the Clark Chapel. In lieu of flowers, her family is asking for donations to BSA Camp Arrowhead, her favorite hunting and stomping grounds. Donations in her name can be made at 417-883-1636 (please ask for Sharon’s Memorial Fund).