R. Elizabeth "Betty" Johannaber of Oxford, passed away March 24, 2011, one week short of her 92nd birthday. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Johannaber was a voracious reader; and loved crafts, playing the piano, singing; and organic, flower, and vegetable gardening. She was a prolific seamstress, and enjoyed needlework and making stuffed animals. She had a flare for entertaining large groups, both in her home and college settings. Mrs. Johannaber received her Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University; and her Masters of Education from City College of New York. She was fluent in both Spanish and Russian; which was essential as she, and her husband, John shared a life of adventure traveling the world as missionaries. She stayed at home to care for her children while they were young; and after the sudden death of their son, David, who had Down Syndrome, she became a special education teacher. She taught in Rockland Co., New York, Nashville, Tennessee, and Rockmart, Georgia. She and her husband retired to Oxford, in 1986, and were active members of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, John Willis Johannaber; son, David McCaw Johannaber; father, Rev. Clayton C. McCaw; mother, Mildred (Phillips) McCaw; and step-mother, Mabel N. McCaw.
Survivors include her daughters and son-in-law, Nancy Johannaber Hammer, Anna Kristine and Charles Madison Silver; sons and daughter-in-law, Earl Arthur and Barbara Johannaber, William Frederick Johannaber, II; adopted daughter, Dr. Christine Hena, medical missionary in Kazakhstan; grandchildren, Kristin (Mark) Mitchem, Stephanie (Henry) Light, Catherine (Philip) Manavi, Asha, Liana, Aleta Johannaber, Sarah, David, John Johannaber, Camolyn Hena; great-grandchildren, Amber Light, Charlie Light, Tyler Mitchem, Caroline Mitchem, Paul Johannaber; brothers, John McCaw, Franklin McCaw, Herbert McCaw; several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Johannaber will be held Sunday, March 27, 2011, 2:30 PM, at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, in Oxford, with Rev. Brian Dale officiating, and interment following in Oxford Historical Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church, Sunday, from 1:00-2:30 PM. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to the Newton County Board of Education, c/o Special Olympics, PO Box 1469, Covington, GA 30015; Allen Memorial UMC, PO Box 117, Oxford, GA 30054; or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.
