Kathryn E. Johnson, 85

CAMBRIDGE - Kathryn E. Johnson, passed away at her home on Saturday, April 18, 2009. She was 85. She was born in Marcus Hook, Pa. on August 27, 1923, and was a daughter of the late Rev. Lemuel W. and Alice Margaret West Savage. She moved to Delaware with her family at an early age, where she attended schools in Sussex and Kent Counties. At an early age she joined the Savage Family Ministry Team and sang her first solo when she was 11. She graduated from the Eastern Pilgrim College in Allentown, Pa., and is an ordained Minister of the Wesleyan Chesapeake District. She had also attended the University of Maryland and Salisbury University. She graduated from the School of Practical Nursing with her L.P.N. For several years she and her sister, Rev. Ruth Morris, who were known as the Savage Sisters, worked with their parents as Evangelists throughout Delmarva. On October 3, 1946 she was married to C. Webster Johnson. They have made their home, which is known as the Christmas Inn, in Cambridge since they were married. Mrs. Johnson was an employee at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center in Cambridge for 30 years, retiring in 1975 as Director of Public Relations. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Cambridge Wesleyan Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were well known for singing together at many functions throughout the area. She was an accomplished author, having written a booklet "A Sinner Saved By Grace", which was the life story of her father, and also wrote an article "Our Aging Citizen", which was published by New York Magazine and was also published in Australia. Mrs. Johnson was also an avid collector. She has collected all of the Christmas Seals since 1907, and Christmas Stamps since 1962. She also enjoyed collecting Santa Clauses, dolls, Titanic memorabilia, 20th century china, as well as antique clocks. Survivors include her husband, C. Webster Johnson of Cambridge; a special friend, Planner Windsor of Cambridge; a special caregiver, Cindy Higgins; and several great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Rev. Ruth Morris and Mabel Hoffman; one brother, Bill Savage; and her only niece, Ruth Ann Pritchett. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cambridge Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Joseph Harmon and the Rev. Paul Dieter officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. The family will receive friends during the hour preceding the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cambridge Wesleyan Church, c/o Mrs. Paulette Meekins, 1108 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Active pallbearers will be Rev. David Wooten, Rev. Robert Hawkins, Rev. D. Larry Wroten, Rev. Scott Conn, Rev. James Hitch and Rev. Bruce LeCates. Honorary pallbearers will be Ward Higgins II, William Harper, Bill Foxwell, Carlton Windsor, Jerry Taylor, James Thomas, Pearl Pritchett, Betty Conn, Cindy Higgins and Lori Parker