Dorothy Grace Johnson

Salisbury – Dorothy Grace (Crowson) Johnson, 86, of Salisbury MD., passed away Monday, July 2, 2012. Her son was by her side as she drifted off to be with the Lord. Dorothy was born September 10, 1925, in Seminole, Pinellas County, Florida, to Rev. E.H. and Mary (Kuhn) Crowson. She was christened into The Methodist Church at an early age and accompanied her parents on their missionary tenure in Calcutta, India during the late 1920s. As a young girl, it was readily apparent that Dorothy was a gifted musician and had a great curiosity that fueled a lifelong passion for learning. Dorothy graduated from Haines City (FL) High School in 1942. In 1948, she graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee with a B.A. She took her first teaching job in 1949 and then continued her post graduate work at the University of Florida, Gainsville, in Education. She received her M.S. Ed in Elementary Education in 1962 from the State University of New York at Oswego on the shores of Lake Ontario. Hired in 1949 by the Haines City Consolidated Schools, she taught 4th and 5th grades at her own elementary school in Loughman, FL. From 1954 to 1956 Dorothy taught in one of the last one-room school houses in upstate New York in Oswego --- teaching all grades from 5th to 8th simultaneously. From 1959 to 1964 she taught in the Phoenix (NY) Central School system and moved to the Mexico Academy and Central School in Mexico, NY in 1965; retiring 20 years later in 1985. Dorothy was always active in the church blending her teaching skills in the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and music skills at the piano and organ, and in voice, for services and events. She played violin in the Oswego City Orchestra. Dorothy sang with the North Country Music Society. She served for many years as an accompanist for music students of the Mexico school system in the New York State Soloist Competitions. In 1991, she moved to Salisbury, MD to be close to family. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, an active supporter of Coastal Hospice, Christian Shelter and Habitat on Maryland’s Lower Shore. She regularly attended the concerts at Salisbury University, engaged her favorite pastimes in gardening, genealogy and theology. She was Board Member of The India Mission Fund, Inc. (TIMFI). She was a member of the Jackson Military Road Chapter (in Natchez, MS) of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She took a small pleasure, that, in moving to the Eastern Shore she was completing a historical circle as her first Crowson ancestor to come to America arrived on Delmarva in 1690. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents – Rev. E.H. and Mary (Kuhn) Crowson, her eldest brother – Ellis H. Crowson of Loughman, her middle brother – David L. Crowson of Orlando, her daughter – Deborah Grace (Johnson) (Brown) Reed of Conroe, TX and her former husband – John G. Johnson, Jr. of Scranton, PA. She is survived by brothers – Dr. Henry L. and Betty Crowson of Potomac, VA, Paul R. and Laurie Crowson of Hattiesburg, MS; by her sister Ruth (Crowson) Rishel of San Diego, CA; by her sister-in-laws: Virginia (Snyder) Crowson of Orlando, Freida (Johnson) Lea of Scranton, PA, and Edna (Johnson) Prestwood of Clark’s Summit, PA; her son – John G. Johnson, III and his wife, Diane of Laurel, DE; her four grandchildren: Katherine J. Johnson of Adelphi, MD, Margaret L. (Johnson) Belous of Newtown, CT, Lauren (Brown) Hitzeman of West Haven, CT and Daniel A. Brown of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives as well as friends of the family. All arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home of Delmar, DE. Dorothy will be laid to rest in St. Stephens Cemetery in Delmar, DE with a small graveside memorial attended by family. Condolences may be forwarded in care of 33060 Gordy Road Laurel, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jackson Military Road, NSDAR 1015 Lake Estates Drive Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Dorothy Grace Johnson

September 10, 1925 - July 2, 2012