Carol Colleen VanDerwiele Johnston, 91, passed away May 2, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Carol was born in Kansas City, Kansas, to parents James Milton VanDerwiele and Vetus Hovey
VanDerwiele. The family moved to St. Louis, Missouri and later to Tulsa where Carol started 7th grade at Wilson Junior High School and graduated from Tulsa Central High School, in 1950.
Carol attended the University of Tulsa where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Her working career began at Adams and Leonard, Inc. where she met her future husband, 0. B. Johnston, Jr. They were married September 23, 1953, in Rose Chapel at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Carol became step-mother to 11-year-old O.B. Johnston III.
Carol and O.B. both loved to play golf and were long-time members of Oaks Country Club. Carol was a member of Oaks Women's Golf Association where she played competitively and participated in their skits and parties. Carol and O.B. enjoyed many golfing trips with friends and attended numerous Real Estate conventions throughout the U.S.
Carol was a member of Boston Avenue Methodist Church where she volunteered in the office and was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class.
Carol was instrumental in the formation of the Tumor Registry at St. Francis Hospital as a volunteer. Later, she was employed in that office for several years.
Carol entertained beautifully and made Thanksgiving Dinner very special for all the family. She was a talented seamstress, made beautiful needlepoint projects and other handwork, but her king-size, handstitched quilt was a masterpiece. Carol was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle expert, and she enjoyed working in her beautiful yard. Carol was very particular and always wanted things done correctly.
She was a wonderful grandmother. Her grandsons always knew time with her was going to be fun.
Carol made us proud as she accepted the challenge of aging with great courage and grace.
Carol was predeceased by her husband, O.B. Johnston, Jr., her mother and father, step-son, O.B. Johnston III, brother, Milton VanDerwiele, his wife, Patricia.
She is survived by her grandsons, Eric Johnston, Tulsa, OK and David Johnston, David's wife, Martha, and her great granddaughters Olivia and Elizabeth Johnston, Plano, TX, and daughter-in-law, Ruthie Johnston, Vinita, OK and nephews, Jim and Mark VanDerwiele.
A memorial service will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Tulsa, OK in the Rose Chapel with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery, directed by Moore Funeral Homes, Inc.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Boston Avenue Methodist Church.