Daphne Ann Johnson

Daphne Ann Hanson Johnson, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, was born in Coweta, Oklahoma on December 30, 1943, to Dorothy Sewell Hanson and Louis Benton Hanson. Louis was drafted at into the U.S. Navy Construction Battalions (CBs) at the very end of World War II, and remained in the Philippines after the war to help with reconstruction. Daphne did not meet her father until she was nearly three years old.

Daphne was a gifted student, skipping a grade in primary school, and graduating from Coweta High School in 1962. Her classmates, although older, became lifelong friends. She earned a degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Library Science from Northeastern State College, where she met her husband-to-be John Frank Johnson, III. John joined the Army, married Daphne on October 6, 1967, and Daphne joined him the following February at his base in Augsberg, Germany. They were able to travel all over Europe and host visiting family members. Visiting mothers were very important, as their son Evan was born in Germany. Daphne’s first teaching position was at Bell, Oklahoma, while John finished his BS and prerequisites for Nursing School.

Daphne taught at primary schools in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, for over thirty years. In addition to the required material, she taught good manners, proper grammar, and even good table manners to generations of students. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Iota Professional Education Society, eventually serving as its president; and belonged to the National Education Association and the Oklahoma Teachers Association, serving in several important roles over the years. She was a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary, helping with many projects, and served terms as president. Daphne volunteered for the Miss Oklahoma Pageant for many years, and served on the Board of the Miss Broken Arrow Pageant. She was on the selection panel for Cleveland High School’s Hanson College Scholarships, and an active member of the Coweta School Alumni. A longtime member of Northside Christian Church in Broken Arrow, she sang in its choir.

Friends and family were at the center of her life. Her granddaughters were special to her, and her great granddaughters were her delight. She loved reading, learning and travel. She was able to combine family and travel, especially after her retirement in 1997. She went to Europe with her family several times, with her mother and sisters to special places, and went on many interesting trips with her best friends from Coweta High School. Her “clan” loved their annual trips to Roaring River in Missouri, where she read with her feet in the stream, most others fished, and everyone cooked.

Daphne is survived by her devoted husband, John; her son Evan Johnson of Broken Arrow; son Quinn Johnson and partner Lauren Hegge of Denver; granddaughter Haley Reed and husband David of Bella Vista, AR; granddaughter Chloe Johnson; Shonnette Johnson, mother of Haley and Chloe; sisters Olivia Hanson and Andrea Hanson of Oklahoma City; brother Christian Hanson and wife Carol of Tulsa; great-granddaughters Addison Grace Reed and Juniper Daphne Reed; many nieces and nephews; and countless students and friends. She will be remembered as a gracious lady, voracious reader, great teacher, and fun Gram-Gram.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Brown’s Funeral Service in Coweta, Oklahoma. Services celebrating Daphne’s life will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Coweta, Oklahoma with Lloyd Ingham officiating. Daphne will be laid to rest at Vernon Cemetery in Coweta, Oklahoma.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. The family of Daphne Ann Johnson entrusted her care and services to Brown’s Funeral & Cremation Service, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, Oklahoma 74429, 918-486-5515.