Tempie Lou Barker Johnson

Nestled on the one of the highest hills in Chatham County sits a home with a special, memorable back door. It’s through this door, Tempie Lou Barker Johnson stepped thirteen years ago on a snowy Thursday to gather her mail, however, slipping on black ice resulted in the unexpected. Unable to lift, the 89-year-old Tempie sat through a long, seventeen-degree night – scared and cold! However, talking with God, she received a miracle – she survived. She lived to tell everyone that it was her LORD that spared her.

The oldest of four children, born on January 29^th, 1925, to a tobacco farming couple, the late Walter Washington, and Ada Dowd Barker, she grew up to know love and contentment – a firm Christian foundation. Ephesians 2:20 Wise with the know-how of planting crops for a livelihood, she later tried her hand at a house of broiler chicken, which proved successful.

She loved gardening, inspiring youth to see Jesus through her Sunday School class and telling others of what Jesus had done in her life. Arriving at her back door, you were sure to find a warm greeting that included her signature pat-pat on your hand. In the 80s her greenhouse flowers and plants blessed many yards in the Hickory Mountain Community. She enjoyed her life, yet in these last years, had few friends to reminisce with as she was the last living member of the Bonlee class of 1943. She greatly missed her late brothers Elbert Jackson (Dick), James Monroe (Chunk) and Walter Earl (Monk) yet, achieving her dream of becoming a wife, mother, and homemaker filled her heart.

                At 99 years old she often spoke of her full, wonderful life but mentioned how ready she was to see her Lord and be pain-free. 2 Corinthians 5 She was spared again from earthly pain and taken to heaven on May 22^nd, 2024. She went through the back door of her home, 810 Bowers Store Road, Siler City for the final time. She now lives in her eternal home with her Savior Jesus Christ.

                Tempie Lou shared this life with the late (2005) Jack Thomas Johnson, dairy and poultry farmer husband of 62 years. They raised four children; son, Jack M. Johnson and wife Faye Fogleman, daughter, Judy J. Bryant and husband Jimmy, son Dell T. Johnson and wife Gywmn Gee, and daughter, Jane J. Fogleman and late husband, Johnnie, all of Siler City; nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

                This family will miss her loving greeting at her special back door, but we know she is rejoicing with her Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 A celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, May 25^th, at 2 PM, at Joy Baptist Church, 61 Bowers Store Road, Siler City, NC. Visitation will be from 1-2 pm. Internment immediately following service at Joy Baptist Church.

                A special thank you to Dr. Byron Hoffman, Nancy Lee, and Pam Brooks for the good care of our mother. Also, special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Sanford, NC.

                Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Johnson family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com