Janis McCaw Johnson

Janis Edna Mattee was the first born to Valaria Sarah Lee McCaw and Arthur Burgess McCaw on the 5th of February 1932. Her abilities as an artist were revealed at a very young age, she studied art at home, with her talented mother, at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Art and Acting were a part of her curriculum at each Institution of education she attended. After her graduation from Central High School she attended Los Angeles City College, Omaha University, University of Nebraska, and Horn College. She then became a multimedia Artist. Before joining her parents in Korea. She was an Occupational Therapist at St Joseph Hospital where she developed an instrument for patients with Polio giving them the ability to paint using the instrument orally. Upon her arrival to Korea, she taught the soldiers art in the U.S. Army Craft Shop. While in Korea she met and later married Captain (CPT) Clifton Reed Johnson who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) later in his career. LTC evaluations by his commanding officers always mentioned compliments to Mrs. Johnson; which was unusual, but she was special. Their marriage was blessed by the arrival of three children: Anthony (Tony) Lowell (Jane), Mark Cameron (Lisa), and Valaria (Ria) Ruth At every Military Base, Janis was a shining light, meeting new friends and always gathering people together. Janis was always joyful, always entertaining, and always telling everyone where to sit. A longtime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Officer Wives Club, Red Hat Society and No Names Dames, Jan was both socially and professionally active. During her retirement she spent her time dancing, entertaining, taking cruises and travelling. She never missed a luncheon or a party and she truly enjoined her grandchildren: Markus (Nerissa), Jessica (Randy), Amanda, Cameron (Marie), Derrick (Kristen), Stephen (Brittany), and Kareem; and her great grandchildren: Nena, Mariah, David, McKenna, Noah, Christian, Mya, Sophia, Jazzlynn, Lawrence, Bellamy, and Naleya. Janis is also survived by her sister: Valaria Joan McCaw Lincoln, her niece Kim E. Lincoln-Hawkins, grandniece: E’lin Hawkins, her nephew: Kent Arthur Lincoln (Dawn). In addition to her parents and her husband, Clifton, she was preceded in death by her son, Anthony Lowell; and her brother, Melvin Arthur. She was a very giving person so she never came without a present and you never left without a gift. She will truly be missed by all her family and friends and anyone whose path she crossed. A funeral service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled in the future due to Covid restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Janis McCaw Johnson Scholarship Fund and send in the following manner(s): Make and Mail checks to: Church of the Resurrection C/O Janis M. Johnson Scholarship Fund PO Box 222 Joppa, MD 21085 (Please indicate on check memo: Janis M. Johnson Scholarship Fund) Electronic Donations through PayPal @CopleyParishChurchof It should pull up " Copley Parish, Church of the Resurrection, Gunpowder Hundred" Put Message/Memo: Janis M. Johnson Scholarship Fund