SPRINGDALE — Phyllis Jo Mitchell Johnson,

86, died peacefully March 25, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark., after a long battle with lung cancer.

Her tenacious spirit inspired her to fight with her family and many friends by her side. Phyllis is survived by three sons; Mike Farris (Nena) of Benton, Ark., Jason Johnson (Heather) of Eureka Springs, Ark., and Wil Johnson of Springdale, Ark., her sister, Jenny Mitchell Adair of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Little Rock, and her niece, April Adair Wessels of Sioux Falls, S.D., eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Phyllis is also survived by several cousins; in Archie Mo., Great Britain, Wales, and Vancouver Island, B.C.

Phyllis lived life to the fullest, always getting involved in her community. She was a teacher most of her life. She taught thousands of students over the years, starting as a HS teacher at Huntsville, Ark., and finished her career at the University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Ark. Phyllis was an activist in the community where she lived. She championed equal rights, and she was a tireless advocate for students. She enjoyed politics, and often wrote her congressmen and senators and sent many “Letters to the Editor”. Her passions included teaching, the Razorbacks, cooking, bridge, writing, children’s charities, her beloved dogs and cats through the years. In recent years she had taken up writing her family stories and belonged to two book clubs, “Life Writers” and “Mixed Nuts.”

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 2 p.m., at the Unitarian Church, 17 Elk Street, Eureka Springs, Ark., 72632.

In lieu of flowers memorials can made to Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, P.O. Box 3964, Batesville, Ark., 72503, or online at: https://www.youthranches.com/ways-to-help/donate/. Online condolences: www.WestfieldChapel.com