Sarah Jane (Register) Johnson

Sarah Jane (Register) Johnson went to be with her Lord and Savior and her beloved husband, Joe, (predeceased) on the evening of May 22, 2018, a week shy of her 91st birthday. Sarah was born in Manatee County, Florida on May 29, 1927 to Lee and Fannie Register. Due to a family tragedy early in her life, Sarah and her brother, L.C., were placed in the children’s home in Arcadia, FL, later moving to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Lakeland, FL. It was in her first years at the children’s home that she met Joseph Johnson, who became the love of her life. Joe and Sarah grew up together at Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Lakeland, FL. Upon graduation from Stetson University, Joe and Sarah married in 1949 and at that time were appointed Directors of the Miami branch of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. It was there they raised over 800 children giving each of them the love, nurturing and encouragement they needed in their young lives, all in a loving Christian environment. Sarah later went into teaching elementary school in Miami, FL and she was named Teacher of the Year at both schools where she taught. Upon retirement in 1989, Joe and Sarah moved back to Lakeland, FL a city they both loved and considered home. Sarah was active and involved in many organizations including her sorority, the Fidelis Rho Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Society for Women Educators, American Association of University Women, Democratic Club, Women of Compassion, and served on the Board at Parker Street Ministries and Habitat for Humanity for many years. Throughout her life, Sarah was always very active in her church, teaching Training Union and Sunday School and any other activity where the church needed her help. Sarah was an avid reader, a talented artist making beautiful needlepoint artwork. She also loved a good heated “discussion” on numerous topics and she and Joe enjoyed traveling extensively throughout their married lives. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, Parker Street Ministries or a charity of your choice. A Memorial Service to honor a remarkable woman will be held in the Glenn Moore Chapel at the Florida Presbyterian Homes, 16 Lake Hunter Drive, Lakeland, Florida on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 1:30 pm with a reception to follow.

Sarah Jane (Register) Johnson

May 29, 1927 - May 22, 2018