Obituary
Eva May Johnson was born in Berrien Center, Michigan on April 9th 1923 to parents Paul and Marie Enders. Of 7 children she was the 3rd born and at the age of 18 she found herself restless, wanting more opportunities. Her father gave his blessing to move to California, but that also meant she would have to support herself. She moved out, finished her final year of high school, and worked evenings waiting tables in a restaurant. After graduation she found employment as a telephone operator.
A schoolmate who befriended Eva asked if she would like to come to church with her. She did and later gave her heart to the Lord. That same church was where she met her husband, Carl Ernest Johnson, and later married on September 2nd 1949. They felt a strong call to be missionaries and left for Japan only a short time after in 1952. Carl and Eva served as independent missionaries in both Japan and Okinawa for many years sharing with others the path to a personal relationship with Christ.
She went back to school later and received her teaching degree. Turns out it was the perfect fit! She loved children and often said that the Lord blessed her with the ability to know how to handle even the most difficult students. Her passion for teaching did not end in the classroom, she gladly volunteered to homeschool a couple of her grandchildren for a few years. She has taught all around the world in Okinawa, Germany, and Fort Myers Beach, FL. She also taught Sunday School, taught children’s Bible quizzing, and oversaw the 3-5 yr old children’s church for many years.
She was full of spunk, drive, and loved her family fiercely. Her children often found her singing beautiful melodies when they were younger. Eva loved to read about natural remedies to all sorts of life’s ailments. She was an avid note taker who would even wake up in the middle of the night to jot down an important thought that came into her mind. It was not uncommon for one of her family members to end up going home from a get-together with some of her caring notes to think about later on. She loved to stay physically fit even later on where she spent many years as a member of TOPS, a fitness group to help maintain an active lifestyle.
She was always extremely independent until 3 years ago when Eva and Carl moved in with their daughter, as they were no longer able to live without assistance.
She passed away peacefully on May 18th 2021. Her family will grieve for her, not as one without hope, but with faith that we will see her again some day.
Eva is preceded by her parents, Paul and Marie Enders, her siblings, Dale, Dick, Betty Kunst, Bob, and Mary Klein.
She is survived by her husband, Carl, her sister, Joann Zeeb, her children, Gary (Marcella), Janet Harper (Fred), Sharon Jones (Ray), her grandchildren, Rick Harper (Rachel), Andrea, Tim Jones, Craig (Morgan), Ryan, her great granddaughter, Alexa Harper, along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2021 at Anthem Church, 13545 American Colony Blvd, Ft. Myers, FL 33912 at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation to Anthem Church missions department.
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