MOUNT VERNON — Jeanette K. Johnson, 78, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
She was born on August 28, 1944, in Mt. Vernon, the daughter of Russell and Jean (Warehime) Douthit. She grew up in Dix, Illinois, and attended Woodlawn High School in Woodlawn, Illinois.
Jeanette retired from the City of Mt. Vernon in 2006, after 15 years of employment in various departments. She worked as Police Secretary for the City Police Department, Accounting Grant Coordinator I, Inspections Department, and ended her career in the Finance Department. During her tenure, she acquired several grants for the betterment of the Mt. Vernon City Park. She also worked at TRW and The Aerospace Corporation in Redondo Beach, California, a major defense contractor, specializing in missile and space systems, and defense electronics.
Jeanette had a great personality, was very witty, and always had a smile on her face. She never met a stranger. She loved to be with her family, and was the “life of the party.” Her son Jeffrey was the most special gift to her, in her life, and she worked very hard as a single parent to provide for him. She had a strong Christian faith, and was a member of Boyd Christian Church in Dix, Illinois, during her youth, and later a member of Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Jeffrey Johnson; siblings, Elaine (Maurice) Clinton, Marty (Jane) Douthit, and Tracey (Charlie) Jones; nieces and nephew, Apryl (Fabian) Ruiz and children Gilian and Roberto, Chris (Jodi) Douthit, and Allison (Curtis) Harper and children Case and Beck; and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Jean Douthit; sister, Rowena Douthit; and nephew, Jarred Clinton.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation rites for Jeanette have been accorded, and a celebration of her life will be held at noon, Friday, August 4, 2023, at Boyd Christian Church, with Rev. Howard Kraps officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date, at Boyd Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service, Friday, at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Central Christian Church and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.