Bobbie Jean Barton Johnson, Marksville

Bobbie Jean Barton Johnson, the second of six children, was born July 17, 1935 to Peter and
Doretha Barton in Marksville, Louisiana. On February 14, 1959, she was united in holy
matrimony to Rufus C. Johnson, of Bunkie. To this union, four daughters and one son were
born.
While attending Marksville Colored High School, she excelled in basketball alongside many of
her cousins. Balancing family and work, she continued to pursue her education, graduating from
Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and
Masters degree from Southern University and A&M College. She began her teaching career in
1959 at Mary McLeod Bethune High School and later transferred to Marksville High School
where she taught P.E. and Health until her retirement in 1987.
During her “retirement,” she continued to mentor Marksville area youth, serving as director of
Project Stay Free, a drug prevention program and later served as the first director of the
Kennedy Center of Louisiana, an after-school tutorial program.
She was a devout and active member of the St. John Community Church, where she was
pastored by Rev. Remus Thomas and Rev. Charles E. Guillory. Here she served as a
deaconess, Sunday School teacher, and director of the Vacation Bible School.
She was a faithful member of the Sweet Beulah Chapter #63, Order of the Eastern Star.
She was also a fierce competitor in all things including bowling, Phase 10, Bid Whist, and
Scrabble, to name a few. She participated in the Senior Center’s yearly olympics for as long as
her body would allow. She was an avid sports fan. She loved spending her days watching
football, basketball, and the Tennis Channel, especially when Venus and Serena were playing.
She could have been a winning contestant on many of the game shows she loved watching with
her loved ones.
She had a quick wit but a gentle soul. She loved travelling, visiting with friends, spending time
with her children, grandchildren, and great-grands. MoMo was special to all of us.
Bobbie Jean Barton Johnson peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Houston,
Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Claude, Steve, Henry Julius, and Frank
and sister Verlene; daughter Roxanne Johnson-Goree. She leaves to cherish her memory her
adoring children: Deborah Brown of Houston, TX; Lynette Johnson of Marksville; Renetta
Johnson of Pearland, TX, and Ritchie Johnson of Marksville; eight loving grandchildren: Ryan
Brown (Amber) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Terri S. Jackson (Marcus) of Chicago, IL; Tiffany
Johnson of Alexandria; Ashley Greenhouse (Levar) of Brusly, LA; Chace Babers of Austin, TX;
Devin Babers of Dallas, TX; Amir and Laila Benlazreg, both of Pearland, TX. She also leaves
behind eight wonderful great-grandchildren: Bailey, Alessandra, Madison, Ciara, Lillian, Arya,
Lia, and Rakai and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.