Valerie Lynn Johnson

VALERIE JOHNSON Valerie Johnson, age 64, passed away unexpectedly at Centennial Hospital on 5/19/2022 in Las Vegas, NV. It’s weird to type age 64. Val always said she 36 when asked her age. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on 6/25/2022 at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, MO. It will be officiated by Reverent Keith from the Marshall Methodist Church. Arrangements are provided by Campbell Lewis Funeral Home also from Marshall, MO. Val was born August 1, 1957 in Marshall to Lieutenant Colonel Royce and Doris Smithson. With her military family, she made several relocations across the country before settling in Manchester MO. There she attended High School at Parkway West and then received her Associates Degree from Meramec Community College. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree at Lidenwood College she worked in St. Louis as a Special Education teacher. It was in the teaching profession where Val found her life’s purpose. I wish we could hear from the thousands of students, parents and teachers whose lives were enriched by Val. You always knew when she entered a room. The room was filled with her own special laughter. Even if you were having a bad day, you couldn’t help but smile. Val had a special way to shine her light on everyone she met. We continue to feel her light today. Val’s email address was Southwest Spirit and she pursued her heart’s desire to live in the Southwest and moved, with her son, Austin to Las Vegas, NV. There she worked as an elementary and middle school teacher for over 15 years with the Clark County School District. She would talk with passion about her students. She loved every one of them. Val’s enthusiasm, imagination and compassion immediately won over even the most stubborn of students. Val had the most amazing sense of humor and could talk for hours uplifting her friends and family. She dealt with many health issues but you would never know it as she brought such little attention to herself and rarely asked for help. She was such a strong lady raising her son as a single mother and sharing an amazing relationship with Austin. She enjoyed reading and everything about the Southwest. Valerie is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents; Mariam and M J Young, paternal grandparents; Virginia and Royal Smithson and parents; Doris and Royce Smithson. She is survived by her beloved son Austin. Her brother, Roger Smithson and sister Lorrie (KC) Bruch. Her niece Chelsea Bruch and nephews Ben Smithson and Nicholas (Beth) Bruch. Her great niece Norah Jean and great nephews Sam, Simon and John Bruch. Val’s passing encourages us to honor her legacy by trying to live life to the fullest. In lieu of memorials please consider a contribution to her son, Austin. Please see the attached Go Fund Me Page. Please Press the link below to be directed to the Go Fund Me Page. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://gofund.me/1b02ce6c__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!PgZI5YSvPUL41Ka2vKpxeC6dFxxkqMxJN1YMUWIFTG7wKonaOOYUKxFwgQnYKcLp5IqJZI1nbf0Vy37_03jSMrwg20uU$ To Those I Love When I am gone, release me, let me go. You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears. Just be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love, you can only guess, how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on, so if you need me, call, and I will come. Though you can’t see, or touch, I’ll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear all of my love around you, soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile, and say “Welcome Home”.

Valerie Lynn Johnson

August 1, 1957 - May 19, 2022