Betty Johnson

Betty “Cookie” Louise Johnson, 86, of New Athens, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Select Specialty Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia. She was born May 16, 1940 the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Schiffner.

Cookie will be lovingly remembered by family and friends for her one-of-a-kind personality. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Blessed with her grandchildren and her first great granddaughter who all brought her so much joy. She loved spending time with her friends, reading books, watching old movies, telling stories from her childhood, going to the casino or the track as she called it and cooking her famous dishes that everyone loved.

Betty graduated from Smithfield High School in 1958. She received several awards in high school for her creative writing and poems. She worked at the Scio Pottery, New Athens Elementary School and as post office clerk before retiring as the New Athens Postmaster. Betty was devoted to her faith as an active member of the New Athens House of the Shepherd and New Athens United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Larry “Buck” Johnson. Her siblings: Jo-Ann (Lyndle) Thuney, Jim (Irene) Schiffner and Bob (Ann) Schiffner; and her mother-in-law, Mary Alice Romshak.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Kimberly (Eric) Walker of St. Clairsville, Ohio and son Larry (Carolyn) Johnson, Jr. of New Athens, Ohio; her grandchildren: Anthony (Taylor) Johnson, Drake Walker, Amanda Johnson, Kennady (Austin) McClain and Breanna Johnson; and her great granddaughter, Addilyn Johnson. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until her funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the House of the Shepherd, 125 Culbertson Drive, New Athens, Ohio with Pastor Jon Little and Pastor John Rushin officiating. Burial will follow at Longview Cemetery, New Athens. The family is being assisted by Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Cadiz, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to The House of the Shepherd, P.O. Box 12, New Athens, Ohio 43981.

The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.clark-kirkland-barr.com.