Phyllis Johnsen, 94, passed away on May 26, 2015 at the NHC, Oak Ridge, TN. She was born on February 20, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to George Edward and Catherine Amelia (Shinnick) Stedman.
During World War II she moved to Washington, DC and worked for the Combined Chiefs of Staff, The British Embassy, and The Australian Embassy where she met George Erwin Johnsen.
Phyllis married George in Washington, DC on December 1, 1951. They were happily married for 46 years, when George passed away. Phyllis was a member of the Timely Topics in Clinton. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents George and Catherine Stedman; brothers Charlie (wife Vera Elizabeth and 2nd wife Emily), George (Emily), and Jack (deceased when a baby); sisters Chris Stedman, Sylvia (Cliff) Needham, Iris (Stan) Mathias, and Myrtle (Herb) Hawk, and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis is survived by her sons Brian (Joyce) of Birmingham, AL, and Scott (Susan) of Powell, TN, and daughter Shelley (Pete) Southall of Lake City, FL; her grandchildren Jonathan (deceased), Peter, René, Sean, Nicole, Christina, and Ashley Johnsen; Matthew and Kristen Johnsen (Anthony Ledford); her great-grandchild Aiden Ledford; Keri and Craig Southall; and her many nieces and nephews throughout Canada.
A grave side service for the family will be held at Grandview Memorial Garden, Clinton TN.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Alzheimer's association at alz.org. Condolences may be left on Holley Gamble online guest book at www.holleygamble.com. Special thanks to all of her caregivers of NHC, Oak Ridge.