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Edna Shealy Johns, Lenexa (formerly of Kansas City, Mo.), died January 14, 2009, of natural causes at Aberdeen Village Health Care. She was 83. Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 1 PM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66212. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Her body was donated to anatomical science at the University of Kansas Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church in Edna’s name.

Edna Caroline Shealy was born February 24, 1925, in South Carolina, to Charles J. Shealy and Elizabeth Voigt Shealy. After graduating from Converse College, Edna served two years in the USN. She then went to Duke University to receive a degree in medical technology. In 1951 she married Leo E. Johns, Jr., M.D., of Texas. They lived in Germany, New Orleans, and Norfolk, Va., before coming to Kansas City in 1960 when Leo took the position as director of medical education at General Hospital. Leo later became an associate professor of internal medicine at KU Medical Center and the director of the pulmonary function lab at the Kansas City Veterans Administration Hospital.

Edna was the ultimate homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was an outstanding example of Christian faith. She cared for her husband at home for 20 years after a fall in 1985 left him a paraplegic. She found time to serve her church, play bridge, create sewing and needlework projects and be involved in various volunteer activities over the years. Edna loved being outdoors at a beach, in the mountains, working in a garden or walking for exercise. She was a breast cancer survivor. Reading and working a crossword puzzle occupied a part of each day. She enjoyed watching sporting events, from backyard games to various events of children and grandchildren to KU basketball and KC baseball.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Clara, Charles and Elizabeth (Bette), and by her husband in 2005. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Christine and Dr. Michael Mathews, Olathe; Leo III (Bud) and Nancy Johns, Overland Park; Dr. Robert and Patricia Johns, Overland Park; Dr. Theodore and Amy Johns, Dallas, Texas; as well as 14 grandchildren. The family thanks the staff of Aberdeen Village for the loving attention Edna received during her four-month residence at Health Care. We also thank Grace Hospice for compassionate service during her final days.

Edna will be forever remembered by her immediate and extended family and the many friends whose lives she touched. Few people know better how to reach out to others in love and even fewer actually get it accomplished.

"...You know the number of our days.
Bend us to Your perfect will.
 Let us walk Your perfect way."

see the lyrics or hear the song
"Eye / Ear / Heart" by Bud
from Mom's 1/17/09 Memorial Service

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Edna and Leo Johns
(with Golda von Kaiserstein I) - 1951