Suzanne “Susie” Johns October 27, 1929 - November 25, 2011

Suzanne “Susie” Mae (Rogers) Johns, 82, of Sparta, passed away Friday, November 25, 2011. Susie was born on October 27, 1929, in Perryton, Texas, to Orlando Louis Rogers and Anna Pletcher. Her family moved to Sparta, Missouri, and Susie attended Bruner School through the 8th grade and graduated from Sparta High School in 1946. Susie married Isaac Joseph “I.J.” Johns on November 24, 1946, in Sparta. Together she and I.J. filled their lives with the love of five children, 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great, great grandson. Her children include son-in-law Lionel Daugherty, Ava; Danny Johns and Jenny, Seymour; Cathy Bumgarner and Terry; Sparta; Cindy Adamson and Faron, Hartville; Rick Johns and Julie, Sparta; grandchildren Caron Daugherty Mitchell, Jeff Johns, Tyler Johns, Tonya Adamson Wilson, Sean Bumgarner, Jennifer Adamson, Nathan Bumgarner, Whitney Adamson Ferguson, Erin Bumgarner Makhdoom, Ricky Johns, Elizabeth Johns, Allison Johns, Anna Bumgarner Call, Andrew Bumgarner, and Emily Johns; siblings Vivian Johns, Spfld; Pauline Ryals, Morton, Ill; Pletcher Rogers and Bonnie, Sparta; and Charles Rogers and Wilma, Sparta; brother-in-law Hershel Johns and Colleen, Ozark, and many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. She worked hard for her family, both as a homemaker and a worker. In the first six years of her marriage, Susie worked at the ASC office, Ozark, WRL Grocery, Wichita, Kansas, and Libby’s Canning, Peoria, Ill. In March of 1952, I.J. and Susie returned to Sparta to the Johns family farm. Susie worked at Hagel’s Manufacturing, Native Wood, Royal McBee and General Electric. From 1978-1986, Susie worked for the Ozark Headliner before, at the age of 56, embarking on a new career—opening Susie’s Flowers. Susie’s Flowers, Gifts and Collectibles started as a hobby in I.J.’s garage. Quickly, her creative expertise gained recognition and Susie opened up shop on Sparta’s Main Street. Through 20 years of Susie’s Flowers, her grandchildren swept floors, cut flowers, de-thorned roses, made arrangements, and watched her give away more than she would sell. Susie held a generous love for family and community. She provided much and her self-less heart was made for sharing. She loved holidays, cooking, making crafts, and being with her grandchildren, whom she called the flowers of life. Susie often found herself taking off weeks and years at a time to care for her children and grandchildren and attend ballgames, track meets, birthdays, weddings and other celebrations. She tended to her flower gardens in honor of her five kids, and loved canning the produce from I.J.’s vegetable garden. She passed away holding the hand of the man we call Dad and Grandpa J, and she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Susie was proceeded in death by daughter Carolyn Johns Daugherty, grandson Matthew Jon Bumgarner, brother-in-law Charlie Manford Johns, parents Louis and Anna Rogers, and siblings Gladys King, Blanche Goins, Bessie Arms, Benny Rogers, Arlene Goins, George Rogers, and John Rogers. She was a member of the Sparta Church of Christ and was active in the Springfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, Susie and I.J. celebrated 65 years of marriage. At 2:00 p.m., she looked into I.J.’s eyes and whispered “We made it.” Their love provided the nutrients for healthy living. Susie will be greatly missed by her husband, family, friends, and community. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2011 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark with Ted Spencer officiating. Burial followed in Sparta Cemetery. Visitation was held 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday in the funeral home. On line condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com