Obituaries

Anamarie Johnson

Photo of Anamarie Johnson Photo of Anamarie Johnson
ANAMARIE JOHNSON, 86, of North Little Rock, formerly of Conway, ascended to her savior Sunday morning May 27, 2012. Born Wednesday, July 29, 1925 at Yazoo City, Miss., to the late Marvin Dixon and Grace Samuelson Johnson. Anamarie was a very proud Arkansan and Razorback fan. She followed the path of her parents Marvin, Grace and older brother Marvin Dixon Jr., all as the first university graduates of their families, from the University of Arkansas. Marvin Sr. was the first to graduate from the U of A, after recovering from wounds from WWI and was the first to graduate in the state of Arkansas with a vocational, agricultural and livestock degree and was the first Arkansas public school teacher in this field. Her mother Grace graduated from the U of A with an education degree specializing in literature and British literature and was the first Arkansas postmistress at Searcy, which inspired Anamarie to pursue her career in education at the U of A, where her brother Marvin Jr. attended and played football until WW II. Anamarie grew up throughout Arkansas as her parents taught school in Northwest and Central Arkansas during the depression era. Anamarie was an honors student at Waldon Junior High class of 1939, Gillam High School class of 43, University of Arkansas with a bachelor of arts degree class of 47, University of Illinois with a master of science class of 52. She pursued her doctorate at New York's prestigious University of Buffalo Graduate School in 1953 where upon she was recruited by the Norfolk, Va., library and public school systems for employment. Anamarie was employed as assistant librarian at Morrilton, Ark., Public Library in 1947 where she established the first Mobile Bookmobile Library for local and rural service as the first of its kind in the U.S. She relocated to Blytheville, Ark., to teach in the public school system as a means to save money to finance her University of Illinois and Buffalo further education degrees. Anamarie was awarded the Gold Medal for Arkansas Outstanding English and Literature Student at Gillham High School in 1943 and was the Valedictorian of her Gillham Senior Class. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Virginia, the Norfolk and Virginia Historical Societies where she served as president, as well as the Norfolk Women's Club also serving as president along with other community and charitable organizations. Anamarie was the Norfolk Libraries of Science Administrator, she was very well known for her dramatic recital of book reading and poetry of adult and children's literature and could recite many completely by memory including Dr. Seuss, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Mother Goose and the Bumper Book for Children as well as the King James Bible. She originated and conducted the Norfolk Story Telling Hour weekly for children which was often broadcast by local radio and TV affiliates of the time. She was most famously and affectionately known as the "Hurricane Lady" per her story telling of intense dramatic passion for children during Hurricane Shelter Storm Protection Centers to calm her children - they're favorite was her rendition of Dr. Seuss Horton the Elephant. She was recognized and awarded citations of recognition for her children's and community work and efforts from Norfolk City Government and other organizations and was a silent contributing patron for many of need. Anamarie instituted the Norfolk Bookmobile for out of area and rural service as she had in Morriliton, Ark., which became the model for the Nation and European versions and was recognized by the Mayors of Norfolk, Governor of Virginia, National Library - Public Schools Association and the Congressional Education Oversight Committee of Washington, D.C. Anamarie loved to write poetry, short stories, novelettes and novels - she wrote personal stories for her vast and varied children audiences. Anamarie retired form Norfolk Public School and Library Systems in 1968 and returned to Conway, Ark., and re instituted her membership in the Easter Star Palmetto Chapter #47 serving as Worthy Matron during her tenure here. Anamarie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Conway joining the United Methodist Womens' Club and was a very active member of and for both and was also an avid supporter of the Conway Public Library. As Annmarie's health declined she relocated to North Little Rock, Ark., in 2003 to be with her many area family members where she joined the Amboy Methodist Church and its United Methodist Womens Club as well as the Eastern Star Jewel Chapter #362. She was immediately recognized for her photographic memory of the Bible and her ability to recite biblical passages line by line in her dramatic enactment and her interpretation of their meaning. Anamarie was devout in her love for children, her family and religion - she especially loved Christmas and all her nieces and nephews whom welcomed her at Adam's Field Airport arrivals from Northfork, Va., yearly in anticipation of her wonderful Christmas storytelling's and colorful Christmas one of a kind packaging as she never forgot anyone and was the leader of family togetherness, activities and spirit. She was an avid traveler of the USA and its' many historic sites on her own and the many family reunions she lived for to attend. Anamarie was preceded in death by her parents Marvin D., Grace; brothers, Marvin Johnson Jr. of Conway and Walter Johnson of Corsicana, Texas; and sister, Betty Haynie of Little Rock, Ark. She is survived by her sisters Idalee Lyons of North Little Rock, Ark., Estelle Summers of Cheyenne, Wyo., Dorothy Heskett of Fresno, Calif., Carolyn Heffington of Willis, Texas, and Mary Johnson of Corsicana, Texas; 19 nieces and nephews, a host of great and great-great-nieces and nephews (she knew all their names and loved all equally) and her family of friends at Northridge Healthcare. Anamarie was a hurricane of activity in life in her many pursuits of life's ways and will be remembered by her family and all for her devout love of children, family, her Razorbacks, deep religious belief, her Methodist and Eastern Star Families of Fellowship and their purpose and most of all her beloved nieces and nephews as well as of All her Love for All - "All of us whom knew and were touched by her will miss here". Anamarie fought many health adversities over the years but had a strong will to survive, be a part of this world and to be here for her family - "She has gone to her final greatest story adventure to be told and is smiling down upon all of us now" - Rest In Peace Anamarie - We Love You To. Services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at Roller McNutt Chapel in Conway, 501-327-7727, with interment to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, at the funeral home. On line guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published May 29, 2012

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