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Obituary for Johnnie C. Fowler
1916 - 2010

Mrs. Johnnie Fowler, 94, of Independence, died Wednesday, December 15 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St John Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Roosevelt K. DeShazer , officiating. Interment will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at the Penwell-Gabel Webb & Rodrick Chapel from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Johnnie Cue Fowler was born September 17, 1916 at Center Ridge, Arkansas, the daughter of Chatman H. Spencer and Essie (Smith) Spencer. Johnnie was raised by her grandparents, Hudson and Rosalee (McFarlin) Smith. She attended school in Center Ridge and was an active member of the Friendship Baptist Church in Center Ridge.

Johnnie met and married Willard L. Smith, Sr. on July 9, 1939 in Arkansas. After moving to Cleveland, Ohio the couple was blessed with three children. The surviving children are Willard L. Smith, Jr., Robert J. Smith and Brenda E. (Smith) Franklin.

Johnnie and Willard eventually separated and divorced. Johnnie and the children moved to Independence, Kansas in 1953.

On December 20, 1959 at Poteau, Oklahoma, she was united in marriage to Whitsed Fowler. Mr. Fowler preceded his wife in death on July 28, 2010.

She was a member of St. John Baptist Church in Independence where she served as President of the mission department., director of the youth choir, member of the usher board, church treasurer, the senior choir, member of the Harmoneers as well as various committees. She truly loved her church.

Other survivors include: a sister, Ida Mae Strickland of Wichita, Kansas; three step sisters, Lea Alice Riley of Wichita, Betty Ballard of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Jamie Lee Neeley of Eldorado, Kansas; and a step brother, George Yates of Wichita.

Her parents and a brother preceded her in death.