Joan Johnson

Joan "Carolyn" (Rees) Johnson, 86 years old, was born May 20, 1929, on a farm near Dunlap, Iowa, where she spent her childhood and attended a one room school house. When her father was killed in an auto accident, her mother moved her and her sister to Woodbine, Iowa, where she was very active in her high school. She participated in cheerleading and other activities. Carolyn graduated from Woodbine High School in 1947. While waiting for the love her life, Walter "Gene" Johnson, to finish high school, she attended Drake University for two years. She then went to work for the FBI, moving to the Los Angeles field office to be near Gene, who had joined the Navy.

Carolyn and Gene were married on June 21, 1951, after having to change the date multiple times due to Gene's Navy assignments and the Korean War interrupting their plans. After the wedding, Carolyn then transferred to the Denver FBI Office to be near family while Gene served on a ship.

Carolyn and Gene were finally able to start their lives together when he was assigned to the Pentagon. While there, she gave birth to her first son, David, in April 1953. She then followed Gene to many world assignments such as: Port Lyautey, Morocco where she gave birth to their second son, Jeffrey in July 1955. They then traveled to Wahiawa, Hawaii; Laurel Maryland; Monterey, California; Kamisama, Japan; Adak, Alaska; and finally back to Laurel, Maryland.

After moving to Laurel, Carolyn went to work for the National Security Agency where she had a long and fruitful career, retiring in 1989. While in Laurel, she was very active at the First Baptist Church of Laurel. She taught Sunday school and was involved in many other activities of the church. After retiring she and Gene became involved in the Gideon ministries and did other volunteer work in the community.

In 2002, Carolyn and Gene moved to a retirement community in Solomons, Maryland where they became active in the community and Southern Calvert Baptist church. They enjoyed traveling around the country and visiting friends and family. Most of all they loved having friends and family visit them and showing them around their new home and community.

In 2009, Gene passed away, Carolyn remained busy at the church and in the community until 2012 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Shortly after her diagnosis, she moved into the assisted living in Gaithersburg, Maryland to be closer to family. She remained active and enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren until the Lord called her to join Gene in Heaven.

Survivors include her two sons, David Johnson and Jeffrey Johnson; grandchildren, Stephen, Kristen and Kathleen; great grandchildren, Kora, Gwen, Kellen and William; sister, Corlys Mullinex; and many other relatives and friends.