Stella Louise Johnson, age 87 of Malvern, died Saturday, January 9, 2010 in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. She was born in Malvern on September 5, 1922 to the late Richard Franklin and Grace Gibbs Walters. Reared and educated in Malvern and Chicago , Illinois , she was a retired licensed nurse. She was the widow of the late Everett Lewis Johnson to whom she was married in August, 1941. He preceded her in death in 1974. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Malvern, where she was active in the choir and the United Methodist Women.

She is survived by four daughters, Linda and her husband Stuart Smith of Detroit, Michigan, Mary Steinbrenner and her husband Lee of Beaverton, Oregon, Catherine Wildes and her husband Donald of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Carole Alexander and her husband Dennis of Bossier City, Louisiana; by two sons, Ronald Johnson and his wife Arcelie of Malvern, and Ray Johnson and his wife Maria of McAllen, Texas; by 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mrs. Johnson was also preceded in death by a son, John Johnson, and a daughter, Martha Jean Johnson, and by a sister, Mae Taft, and an infant brother.

Her funeral will be held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, January 13, 2010 in the sanctuary of St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dooley Fowler officiating. She will be interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission , Texas .

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from seven until eight o'clock.

Pallbearers will be: Ray Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Dennis Alexander, Joshua Alexander, Richard Taft, Stuart Smith, Martin Smith, Jack Dysart, Jr.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church .

The family extends a special thanks to the staff and administration of Malvern Nursing Home for their care and compassion.