Dema Levon Johnson Sandlin

Dema was born April 6, 1928 in Keota, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Grover Cleveland Johnson and Ada Olive Bales, of Keota. She is survived by three sons, Larry (Brenda) of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Justin of Oklahoma City, and Scott of The Colony, Texas. She is also survived by six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, one sister, Lois D. Walley of Porterville, California. Dema was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Oral, Arlie, Charley of Keota, Harlon of Sacramento, California, Ira of Forsyth, Missouri, one sister Estelle Shepherd of Keota.

Dema attended school at Gingle Mountain and Keota. She was married to Kirby L. Sndling from 1945 until 1964. Dema spent most of the rest of her life signing, writing songs, playing guitar, and going to church, even pastoring for about one year, and working in the prison ministry. Down through the years Dema lived in Oklahoma City, Cushing, Oklahoma, Mena Arkansas and finally moved to Porterville, California. Her most favorite thing to do was going to Mcdonalds in the Walmart store, having coffee and visiting with her friends. She loved traveling to different state with her brother and family and was able to go from Texas to Canada and lots of places in between. In 2016 she moved to Porterville Convalescent Hospital. Her favorite scripture was 23rd Psalm.

Dema passed away November 28, 2017 in Porterville, California. Funeral arrangements are by Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center in Porterville, and then Mallory-martin Funeral Home in Stigler, Oklahoma, with burial in Cache Cemetery in Keota, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your church or favorite charity.