Elizabeth Walker Johnson

Cornelia Elizabeth “Liz” Walker Johnson died peacefully Friday, February 2, 2024. She was 86 years old. Liz was raised in Sieper, Louisiana. She and her high school sweetheart, Dr. Tommy Johnson, attended Northwestern State University together in Natchitoches, where they settled and raised their family. They were married 56 years. The witty grammarian taught English, Language Arts, and Social Studies for over 40 years, first retiring from the Northwestern State University Laboratory School where she taught countless eighth graders and prepared student teachers for their careers. She came out retirement, landing at St. Mary’s Catholic School for several more years. She touched the lives of numerous students and they touched hers; in the weeks leading up to her death, she repeatedly expressed her pride in her many years in the eighth grade and that in her own three children—Pat, Eric, and Martha.

She was an exemplary educator, mother, and Ma’mere to her grandchildren. She was a faithful woman and long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches. She lived with Multiple Sclerosis and ultimately succumbed to a brief, tough battle with presumed cancer, which she handled with grace and her quintessential humor. She was a “Steel Magnolia.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clint and Mahalie Walker, sister Bonnie Stokes, sister Emma Jean Ginter, husband, Dr. Tommy Johnson, and son, Eric Thomas Johnson. 

She is survived by her brother Archie Walker (wife, Mary), son, Patrick Johnson (wife, Dianne), daughter Martha Hubbs (husband, Chris), grandson, Walker Johnson, granddaughter, Mahalie LeFranc Kyzar (husband, Logan), grandson, Richard Johnson, and granddaughter, Erica Hubbs. 

Liz’s unique style and iconic quips will be cherished by all that knew her.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches at 1:00 o’clock P.M. on Friday, February 23, 2024. The family would like to thank everyone at Natchitoches Community Care for caring for her these last several years, and a special thanks to Hospice of Natchitoches, Theresa Kyzar, and all family and friends that cared for her in these last two months. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to donate to the Tommy Johnson Endowed Professorship at Northwestern State University.