- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1926
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2021
- State: Utah
Roy—Johnnie Mae Madsen (Bland), age 95 returned to Heavenly Father and to her beloved eternal companion Dean, on Sunday morning October 24, 2021.
She was born to Clayton M. and Weltha Elizabeth Bland July 26, 1926, in Alma, Georgia. Johnnie grew up in Alma graduating from high school at age 15 (she skipped two grades).
While attending beautician school in Jacksonville, Florida in 1943, she met a handsome Marine and they quickly fell in love. She married Dean J. Madsen on August 8, 1944, in North Hollywood, California.
While Dad served in Hawaii during the war, Mom, a devout member of a Deep South Protestant Church, took it upon herself to seriously study The Book of Mormon so as to lovingly point out its flaws. As a result, she gained a strong testimony of The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. When Dad returned, he baptized her. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 7, 1948.
After her handsome Marine, Dean returned from serving in WWII they moved to Florida, finally settling in Jacksonville, where they lived for 32 years and raised three sons and two daughters. They relocated to Roy, Utah in 1984.
For the remainder of her life Mom was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Stake Relief Society President and in other positions in the Young Woman’s and Primary Organizations as well as a teacher in both Sunday School and early morning Seminary for several years. In their later years she and Dean served as advisers to a congregation of Southeast Asian refugees and later as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple.
Mom was an accomplished beautician and seamstress and knitted and sewed many quilts, baby blankets, dresses, blouses, suits, sweaters and even ties and bathing suits for her family.
Mom is survived by her five children; Tony, Dean Michael (Laurie), Samuel (Coleen), M. Kristine (Dan Pitcher) and Amy (Chris Billings), as well as16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and her sister, Osteen Everheart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, one brother, 5 sisters and a granddaughter.
Special thanks to Avamere and Inspiration Hospice, especially Deborah.
