Jeanie Johnson

Jeanie Sides Johnson was born July 21, 1966, in Durham, North Carolina to David and Carolyn Sides and passed to eternal peace on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, at the age of 56. At the time of her death, she resided in Robinson, Texas where she lived most of her life.
Jeanie spent her childhood years involved in many activities including soccer, summer track and church. She learned to play the piano and became quite accomplished; music was an important part of her life. She moved to Robinson in 2nd grade where she began to make lifelong friends. In junior high and high school, she continued her love for both music and athletics. She became drum major in high school and played an integral role on a state tournament basketball team as well as participating in track at the state meet. In addition to her talents in music and athletics, Jeanie also excelled in academics. She graduated near the top of her class and went on to Texas Tech University where she received her bachelor’s degree in education, graduating summa cum laude.
Upon graduation from Texas Tech, Jeanie returned to Robinson in January of 1988 to begin her master’s degree at Baylor University. It was then that she met Keith Johnson and the romance began. Jeanie and Keith were married on March 4th, 1989, and enjoyed years of life together. Jeanie was Keith’s hero, comforter, encourager, and best friend!
While Jeanie’s passion for education was evident, her biggest desire in life was to become a mom. Even though she was already beginning to experience health issues, God blessed her and Keith with two sons, Drew and Tyler. She was a wonderful mother who made her boys her priority regardless of health issues or demands of work.
Jeanie’s career in education spanned 34 years and included teacher, coach, counselor, middle school principal, elementary principal, high school principal, and assistant superintendent. During her career and despite ever-present health concerns, she earned her doctorate degree from Dallas Baptist University. She impacted students and staff at Robinson ISD, China Spring ISD, and Midway ISD. She retired from education in June of 2022. She had served as an adjunct professor for Baylor University and, at the time of her death, was an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University.
Jeanie’s love for the Lord was so apparent in everything she did. In addition to her educational pursuits and education career, she impacted children by serving as a children’s minister at Meadowbrook Baptist Church where she was also the church pianist. Her favorite ministry, though, was serving several years as director of CORWAC children’s camp at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment. She always said that if she could make a living doing that, it was precisely what she would do. Regardless of where she was attending church, she was always involved in working with children and youth. She also strongly believed that her role as a public school educator was a calling and ministry. The example she always aspired to set was one of “Christ living in me.”
Jeanie lived life with passion: the keywords she used often – grit, tenacity, and growth mindset – were more than just words to her. It is how she lived her life, raised her children, loved her family, faced her years of health issues, practiced her profession, and served Jesus.
Jeanie is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother Carolyn Wright Sides, two great-nieces and two brothers-in-law. What a reunion they are having in heaven! She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Keith Johnson, her children Drew Johnson and wife Hillary of Arvada, Colorado, and Tyler Johnson and wife Katie of Robinson, Texas. Her greatest joy was her sons – until the grandchildren began to arrive. Jeanie is survived by four grandchildren: Livvy Johnson and Millie Johnson of Arvada, Colorado, and Nash Johnson and Parker Johnson of Robinson, Texas. Jeanie is also survived by her father David Lee Sides and dear friend Norma Kay along with her siblings Teri Karr and husband David, Carol Metcalf, Sara Springer, Claire Northcut and husband David, Bill Sides and wife Sherri, and Jim Sides and wife Lexi. There are numerous nieces and nephews and quite a few great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and dear friends – all whom she loved.
Jeanie’s Celebration of Life will be Sunday, May 28th from 3-7 PM at Slow Rise Pizza in Woodway. This site was selected because Jeanie’s wish was for a fun, casual setting where people could visit.
The family would like to thank the ER Staff at Providence Hospital, especially Dr. Joel Mendez, and the ICU staff at both Providence Hospital and Baylor Medical in Dallas. The doctors and nurses were incredible in caring for Jeanie and doing everything in their power to heal her and keep her comfortable, all done with the utmost compassion.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to a scholarship fund that is being established in her memory using the link below:
https://gofund.me/e5104dc3