Leona Johnston
NORMAN - Leona “Lea” Arlene Reams Johnston, devoted wife, beloved mother and Leame, was born on April 18, 1949 and upgraded to her heavenly home on February 15, 2023, at the age of 73. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne Calvin Reams, Yale, OK and Betty Sue Carlisle of Odessa, Texas. She leaves behind her husband of 52 years Bob Johnston, son Shane Johnston and his wife Tiffany of Magnolia Texas, daughter Haley Kersey and her husband Gary of Norman, OK, three grandchildren and one soon to be grandchild: Caleb Johnston, Payton Johnston, Reagan Kersey and soon to be Baby Kersey. Also included are three sisters, two brothers, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins that she enjoyed so much. She was all about family.
Lea was a 1967 graduate of the official “Friday Night Lights” Permian High School (MOJO) in Odessa. Soon after graduating she met recent Yale High School graduate Bob Johnston while visiting family in Oklahoma. The two were married shortly thereafter with Bob leaving for Vietnam to serve in the Navy Seabees days later. Upon his return the young couple began traveling across America as Bob worked in the Pipeline Industry, making many friends and memories along the way.
Their first child, Shane Johnston, was born in 1970 and the family settled in Cushing, Oklahoma shortly thereafter. In 1984, daughter Haley Johnston was born. The family eventually moved to Norman where they still reside.
Christmas was a special time for her, she went all out every year with decorating inside and out. She always hosted a family Christmas with all of her brothers, sisters and cousins and extended families where many traditions were made and a lot of memories were shared.
Lea served (in her children’s opinion) as the best homemaker and philanthropist giving a lot of her time in her early years to the community of Cushing. She was instrumental with helping promote the Cushing Youth Center with her dear friends (Carlene and Jim Frisbee) and serving on the board as well. After moving to Norman, she became active in the community becoming a member of the Assistance League of Norman and serving on the board of Newcomers as well as helping others in every way possible. She most recently served on the board of Full Circle Adult Day Care facility continuing to help others as she has her whole life. One thing to remember, no matter what you would ask her she would try and help as long as it wasn’t early in the morning and be sure and tell “LateLea” an hour early so she actually would be there on time.
She loved nothing more than being with her children and grandchildren. She is widely considered as a second mother to the friends of her children who she grew up caring for as well. She was a lover of people.
She was an ultimate sports “MOM”. She has attended thousands of games in multiple sports for Shane and Haley and her extended kids.
At the end of 2022, Lea was excited to take one more family trip to Disney World with her youngest granddaughter Reagan, just as she had with her older grandchildren Caleb and Payton years before. Her most recent years were spent cheering on Caleb and Payton at their ballgames and being Reagan’s favorite babysitter.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:30pm, Monday, February 20, 2023, at the First Assembly of God in Yale, OK. Interment will follow at Lawson Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Matherly Davis Funeral Home in Cushing, Oklahoma.