Nona Foree Johnson

August 11, 2011 Nona Belle Foree Johnson passed away at 94 years of age on March 22, 2011 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She was born in Coweta, Oklahoma on March 12, 1917 to Lucy Riggs and William Lee Foree. Nona Belle graduated from Coweta High School. She was an outstanding basketball player and was chosen to play on the all tournament team. Nona Belle gave the valedictorian speech for her graduating class. After High School graduation Nona Belle moved to Tulsa to attend Tulsa Business College. Once out of school she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary until she started working for Standard Oil and Gas. She met Melbourne (Mel) James Johnson there and they married on November 23, 1943. Two sons were born, Steven and James (Jim.) In 1949 Mel and Nona Belle purchased thirteen acres at 71st and Memorial Drive. The ranch was named the Lucky Thirteen Ranch. She stayed at home to take care of their sons and the farm. Mel and Nona Belle were married for 25 years when Mel passed away in October of 1969. That was the same month that Nona Belle was elected Grand Secretary of the Order of Eastern Stars for the state of Oklahoma. She served in that position for several years and was the Grand Secretary Emeritus of the state until she passed away. She represented the state at nine international meetings as well as many in the United States. One of the meetings was in Australia where Mel's mother was from. After retiring, she moved to Broken Arrow and was a very active volunteer in the community. She was a charter member of the Senior Citizens where she was a past member of the board of directors, helping them get started in Broken Arrow, and volunteering in several areas of the center. In 1995 Nona Belle was honorary Vice Mayor for Rooster Day, and worked on a number of committees representing the Senior Citizens of the Broken Arrow Community. Mel, Nona Belle and the boys were members of the First United Methodist Church, joining the church in the early 1950's. Nona served on the Administrative Board, Finance Committee and participated in other church activities. She sang in the church choir for 40 years, retiring when she was 90 years old. She always said she couldn't sing very well, but loved the music, and the words of the songs which always inspired her as a Christian. Nona Belle is survived by her two sons, Steven Johnson and his wife Candy of Austin, Texas, and Jim Lee Johnson and his wife Kathy of Broken Arrow. She had four grand children, Jeff of Atlanta, Georgia, Hilary of Brownwood, Texas, Nikki of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and Ben of Coffeyville, Kansas, and six great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the Franciscan Villa and Good Shepherd Hospice for the care and love they gave Nona Belle and her family. Donations can be made to the First Methodist Church, 112 E. College St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012, 918.258.1505, www.fumcba.org and The Senior Citizens Center of Broken Arrow, 1800 S. Main St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012, 918.259.8377, www.brokenarrowseniors.com. A memorial service will be held on March 25, 2011 at 1PM at the First United Methodist Church of Broken Arrow. Viewing: 10AM-3PM Thursday, March 24 at Kennedy-Kennard Funeral & Cremation. Kennedy-Kennard Funeral &
Cremation, 918.251.5331.