Alma Jean Johnson

Graveside funeral services and interment for Mrs. Alma Jean Johnson, age 91 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, November 6, at 1 p.m. at Cookeville City Cemetery. Rev. Riley Rich, her great nephew, will officiate. Mrs. Johnson died Thursday evening, October 28, 2021, at her home of the last two years, The Mansions at Sandy Springs, Georgia. She was born May 8, 1930, in the Carter’s Creek community of Maury County, Tennessee to the late Ulysses Elmo Fox and Georgia Mae Sears Fox. Mrs. Johnson excelled in school and took pride in developing and teaching others farming and leadership skills through the 4-H program. She was the valedictorian of Sante Fe High School (1948) and earned a 4-H scholarship which she used to attend and graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Home Economics degree in 1952. Mrs. Johnson moved to Cookeville in 1954 and from the start served her chosen community. In addition to her 40-year career with the UT Agricultural Extension Service as a nutritionist, she led Home Demonstration Clubs teaching household skills such as cooking and sewing. She volunteered for the Putnam County Fair and in various capacities at First United Methodist Church of Cookeville, where she was a member for approximately 65 years. The Upper Cumberland District of the Boy Scouts of America recognized her for her volunteer leadership during her sons’ time in scouting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, George Harvey Johnson, her sister and best friend Alice (John) Dodson, and brothers Adrian (Martha) Fox and Jasper “Jackie Boy” Elmo Fox. She is survived by her three sons, Ken (Elizabeth) Johnson of Atlanta, Paul Johnson of Nashville, and Michael (Melissa Zimmerman) Johnson of Alexandria, Virginia; and five grandchildren, Benjamin, Robert, Samuel, Savannah, and Skye Johnson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the University of Tennessee Herbert School of Agriculture, the Alzheimer’s Association, or your local hospice. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931) 526-611l. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.