Sue Carol Johnson

Sue was born in Aurora, Missouri on October 7, 1934, to Robert and Lucile Harrison, the middle child and only girl. She attended Texas A&I (now A&M) University – Kingsville, Texas. She was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, and aunt.

Sue had a very successful career of over 20 years in hotel sales management. She served as Director of Sales for the Sheraton Marina in Corpus Christi, Country Club Inns in Brownsville, Astro-Village Hotel in Houston and the Austin Hilton Inn. During her time in Corpus Christi, she was elected and served as the first woman president of the Texas Hotel Sales Managers Association. She was awarded the Key to the City of Corpus Christi by Mayor Jason Luby in acknowledgement of her contributions to the Corpus Christi economy by bringing in numerous state and local conventions and functions. She increased the volume of business at the Sheraton by 40%. She received many state and national awards recognition of her extraordinary skills.

Sue married Ford Johnson in 1978 in Houston, Texas. They moved to Round Rock, Texas where they lived until Ford’s death in 1991. They enjoyed an active life, travelling together for Ford’s job as Executive Director for the Texas Chiropractor’s Association, visiting friends and family and hosting family reunions and celebrating life’s big and little moments.

In 1998, Sue was blessed to find another great love in her life when she met Sol Smith with whom she shared a passion for dancing and travel. They danced and travelled their way from coast to coast until Sol’s death in 2006.

After a stroke in 2024, Sue moved to Orchard Park Assisted Living Center in Kyle, Texas to be closer to her brother Michael and his wife Sue Ann.

She was a devout Christian and servant of God. She was a very active member of St. Julian’s Episcopal Church in Cedar Park, serving on the Altar Guild, as a greeter, Sunday School teacher, and frequent volunteer in a variety of church activities.

She also had a special devotion to St. Theresa, The Little Flower, praying daily for her own needs and those of others. Her faith was strong and unwavering.

While Sue had no children of her own, she was often described as a “second mother” by her younger friends and their children. She also played important roles in the lives of her nieces and nephews, guiding, encouraging, advising, and “mothering” them.

Sue loved hosting parties, showers and all kinds of celebrations for friends and family. She loved all holidays and decorated down to the smallest detail for each one. She also loved to cook for others and made casseroles, cookies, and pumpkin bread whenever something was needed. Her “Sweet and Sour Meatloaf” is legendary in our family.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Ford Johnson, her brother James Harrison and sister-in-law Kay Harrison.

Sue is survived by her brother, Michael Harrison, sister-in-law Sue Ann Harrison of Buda, TX ; nieces Susanne (Les) Pendleton of New Bern, NC; Kimberly Harrison (Roger De Leon) of Austin, TX; nephews James Harrison (Lynn) of Grand Rapids, MI; Kevin Harrison (Diane) of Fargo, ND; and Christopher (Mandi) Harrison of Austin, TX and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express appreciation to the direct care staff at Orchard Park who lovingly tended to her needs and to Altus Hospice staff, especially Angelita Greene and Ashley Hernandez.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to a children’s charity of your choice.