Beckham County, OK - Obits: Grace Johnson, 1915
02 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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JOHNSON, GRACE
(28 Jan 1915, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Unusually mournful, pathetic and heartbreaking was the untimely death on
the 3d inst. of Mrs. Grace Bonebrake Johnson, the only daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. John E. Bonebrake, at the beautiful home of the parents on West Park
avenue, in this place.
The late Mrs. Grace Bonebrake Johnson came to Boulder Creek with her
children to reside last October, previously intending to move here this
New Year, but called thus earlier by the serious illness of her mother,
who has since recovered, but is hardly yet out of her convalescence.
Before coming to Boulder Creek last fall Mrs. Johnson had been suffering
from a mild attack of jaundice, worse, in spite of the attending
physician's efforts, an operation was decided upon.  This was performed at
the Seabright Sanitarium in the city of Santa Cruz on December 19th last. 
Sad to say, the operation revealed the fact that the patient was suffering
from cancer of the liver, already in an advanced state, and beyond the
hope of cure.
After the operation the patient's greatest longing and desire was to be
brought back to her home and loved ones here.  The funeral, which was
private, followed two days later, the interment being in our local
cemetery.  The deceased leaves to mourn her untimely death, beside her
greatly bereaved father and mother and afflicted husband, Mr. Geo. E.
Johnson, three children, as follows:  Margaret, aged 13 years; Eleanor,
aged 11, and Mildred, aged 4 years, all residing here.  Also an only
brother, Mr. H. E. Bonebrake, residing at El Reno, Oklahoma.
The late Mrs. Grace Bonebrake Johnson was born at South Bend, Indiana, on
July 8, 1869, and was therefore aged 45 years, and only at the very zenith
of life, when death came so unexpectedly.  When two years of age her
parents moved with their family from South Bend to Abilene, Kansas.  Here
she passed her early youth and laid the foundation of an accomplished
education in the common schools of that city.  Later she attended Ferry
Hall, the woman's department of Lake Forest University at Lake Forest,
Illinois, and then took a course at the New England Conservatory of Music
in Boston, Mass.
In 1893 the family moved to Oklahoma, and seven years later, or on June
28, 1900, the late deceased was wedded to Mr. George E. Johnson at El
Reno, in that state.  The following year, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved to
Sayre, Oklahoma, where until they came here last fall, they have ever
since resided.  For business reasons, when Mrs. Johnson came here last
fall, the husband remained behind to settle his affairs, but was soon
afterward urgently called here by the serious developments of his wife's
illness.
The late Mrs. Johnson was particularly talented and accomplished in music
and painting and was public spirited and charitably inclined to an unusual
degree.  Had she regained her health, she would certainly have become a
valuable citizen and worker of our little city.  She united with the
Presbyterian church when 13 years of age, and took great delight in the
duties of an active membership therein.  As part of her fine public work,
she organized a Christian Endeavor society in her old home place.  Since
her death, as an expression from her former neighbors and associate
workers, the bereaved husband has received the following letter, which
speaks for itself:
Mr. Johnson and Family: -
It was with anxious hearts that we awaited the news of Mrs. Johnson,
hoping and praying that it might be news of her recovery, but since it was
not to be, we could only go among ourselves as a church family, speaking
of the many sweet memories we have of her.
On this Tuesday night we meet, as a church, to hold a memorial service in
her memory, whose services in every department of the church was so
helpful and faithful.
Her favorite hymns as we remember them will be sung.
A short service of memories will be held, in which we will recall her in
the Sunday school, in the missionary society, in the Endeavor, in the
choir and in the church.

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