Gwendolyn “Gwen” Ann Dycus Johnson, 82, passed away peacefully at her home, on May 3, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/dementia.
Gwen was born Nov. 26, 1938, in the Big Bottom area of White County, known by locals as “Greasy Holler.”
She graduated from White County High School, in 1958, and never lost her Warrior pride. Until her health condition made it impossible, she loved to attend Warrior basketball games with her husband, Roy.
Gwen took after her mother, Goldie Dycus, in her fantastic work ethic and exceptional customer service. After high school, she attended Draughon’s Business College and began a long and successful career in business. She worked at Jim Brady Chevrolet, Rock City Packaging, and Chapel Dairy Company, before opening The Fashion Shoppe, in Livingston, Tennessee. Gwen is remembered fondly by her customers and friends for her fun, outgoing personality. Other business ventures included real estate sales and ownership of Livingston Funeral Home and The Antique Shop, in Sparta.
Gwen had a great affinity for pretty things, which was best expressed in her flashy, glamorous style; her love for the color pink; and her collection of antique dishes. Her favorite pastimes were antiquing and going to yard sales. Her legacy includes an impressive collection of antiques and trinkets that fully capture the meaning of “one man’s trash, is another man’s treasures.”
In 1990, Gwen married Roy Johnson. In their 30 years together, they wrote a love story that will be remembered by all that knew them. They loved holding hands, four-wheeling in Big Bottom, going to auctions, riding around the country, and visiting with their friends. They were active members in the Cumberland Heights Church of Christ congregation and were known for cuddling in the second-to-last pew on Sunday mornings. Gwen was also a founding member of the church’s Women’s Group that is still active today.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Johnson; her parents, James Monroe Dycus and Goldie Marie Harris Dycus; her sister, Betty Dycus Farley; her brother-in-law, B.E. Anderson; and her niece, Marla Farley Murray.
Surviving family includes her daughter, Jongee (John) Cheek; granddaughter, Julia Jarvis; brother, Charles (Paulette) Dycus; sister, Brenda Anderson; nieces, Wendy (Jonathan) Edwards, Marsha (Jermaine) Jackson, Natalee Anderson; nephews, Brent Farley, Luke (Beth) Dycus; and stepchildren, Kathy (Malcolm) Megibben, Troy Johnson, and Scott Johnson
Funeral service will 1 p.m., May 6, 2021, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Frasier's Chapel Cemetery. Doug Downs will officiate. The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m., May 5, at the funeral home.
Luke Dycus, Brent Farley, Jermaine Jackson, Montuka Murray, Tyler Gaffaney, Lynn Mitchell, Jim Payne, and David Davis will serve the family as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Frasier's Chapel Cemetery in care of Hunter Funeral Home, P.O. Box 90, Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
