Mary Juliann Johnson

Mary Juliann (Julia) Johnson, 93, of Bowling Green, died peacefully at her home on April 21, 2023. Services will be Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green, with Greg Wyble officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral from 9 – 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Edgewood Cemetery.
Julia was born Nov. 15, 1929, in Cyrene, the daughter of William Henry and Mary Roselpia Dietzman Woodward, the youngest of 12. On March 25, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart, Billy (Bill) Gene Johnson. They were married 67 years before his death in 2016.
Julia is survived by her daughter, Debbie Tophinke (Chuck); grandchildren: Jennifer Ogden, Nicole Tophinke, Kim Curtis (Terry) and Kelli Rushin (Jeff); great grandchildren: Blake Curtis, Cody Curtis, and Karli Rushin; two great great grandchildren, six sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Her parents; husband, Bill; daughter, Donna Johnson Holton; siblings Charles Woodward, Clarence Woodward, William Woodward, Bessie Woodward Guinn, Thomas Woodward, Homer Woodward, George Woodward, John Woodward, Hattie Woodward Bass, Henry Woodward, and twin brother Marion Woodward, all died earlier.
Julia was raised in the Cyrene/Edgewood area and attended Rockford School and Eolia High School, where she played basketball during her high school years. She moved to Eolia after she and Bill were married, then moved to Bowling Green in 1995. She helped Bill on the farm for over 40 years and accompanied him most of time when he hauled livestock. Julia also worked at Stark Bros. Nursery.
Julia loved her family. Her favorite times were spent with family and friends, and she always looked forward to family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed hunting, gardening, camping, playing cards, mushroom hunting, and any outdoor activity. Julia was also an avid Mizzou basketball fan. She had a love for horses and enjoyed helping Bill with the livestock. She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chuck Tophinke, Bennie Reid, Junior Johnson, Ralph Penrod, Gene Arens and Gaylord White.
Memorials may be made to Pike County Home Health and Hospice or Edgewood Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.bibbveach.com.