Joyce Catherine “Nana” Johnson, 82, passed peacefully at home Saturday, April 8, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 27, 1934 in Bell County, to Frankie Ward and Cynthie Estelle Ivey Ward. She was the fourth child of nine. She attended the Armstrong School and moved to Waco in 1952.
Catherine’s most endearing quality was the loving home she created, where everyone was welcomed day or night, gathered around the kitchen table or on the front porch. Her southern hospitality was legendary. Each family member had a favorite dish, be it chicken ‘n dumplings or fried potato sandwiches. Her kitchen was never closed, her cookie jar was never empty, and there was always a pot of coffee or pitcher of sweet tea ready to be served.

Known to grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all their friends as “Nana”, she was the consummate homemaker creating memories for her four children, seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. A self-taught seamstress, three generations received homemade items from stuffed rabbits to Halloween costumes, Easter dresses to wedding dresses. Each Christmas she created a new memory for family and friends. There was not anything she could not sew, knit, crochet, quilt, embroidery or tat.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; four brothers; one sister; and a beloved granddaughter, Shannon Guthrie Stevens.

She is survived by three sisters, Betty Taylor, Willie Bounds and Sue LaRocque, all of Belton; the love of her life of 53 years, Bobby Joe Johnson; her four children, Cathey Horsak of Temple, David Kettler and wife, Melinda of McGregor, Susan Hayslip and Joy Northern, both of Waco; six grandchildren, Michael Kettler of Waco, Cliff Kettler and wife, Sally of Lorena, Scott Horsak and wife, Melissa of Temple, Ashley Schmalriede of Gatesville, Jody Guthrie of Waco, and Amy Roberson of Waco; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and family in Bell County.

Services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 12, OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Merry Wilburn officiating. Interment will be at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation and viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque.

Pallbearers will be her four grandsons and four great-grandsons. Special thanks to Providence Hospice, especially Liz Luna and Chelle McCoy, for all the loving care given.

Nana loved flowers but if you prefer, memorials may be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134, www.alpha1.org .