Sarah Elizabeth Thompson Johnson of Tullahoma passed peacefully from this life on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at NHC-Tullahoma at the age of 84.

Sarah was born in Nashville at St. Thomas Hospital on Dec. 17, 1938 to the Reverend Roscoe Sinclair Thompson and Rebecca Elizabeth Graham Thompson. She graduated from Tullahoma High School in 1957, and from Transylvania College in 1961 with a degree in Elementary Education. While in college she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and sang with the Transylvania Choir. She was married to Arlis Johnson, and they resided in Tullahoma where they raised their family. Sarah taught school for 23 years, most of them at Jack T. Farrar Elementary. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who were her pride and joy. She loved her high school classmates, and enjoyed organizing their class reunions and keeping them connected. Sarah enjoyed listening to country music, and never met a dessert she didn’t love. Sarah was a life-long, active member and elder of First Christian Church of Tullahoma, where her father was the minister when she was a little girl. Even though she had not been able to attend church in the past several years, she was devoted to it, loved the people there, and had a deep, Christian faith. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Colonel James G. Thompson. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Arlis Johnson; three children, Dave Johnson (Marian Galbraith), Sharon Nelius (Andy), and Steve Johnson (Dan Barnes); and three grandchildren, Sarah Beth, Eric, and Andrew Nelius.

Visitation for Mrs. Johnson will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 1 -3:30 p.m. at First Christian Church of Tullahoma. A memorial service will immediately follow at 3:30 p.m. with Pastor Tom Murdock officiating. For those who wish, the family asks that donations in Sarah’s memory be made to First Christian Church- 201 NW Atlantic Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388; or online at www.firstchristiantullahoma.org.

Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tullahoma News – Nov. 15, 2023