Johnson, Clarice W.

Helen Clarice Wells Johnson died on December 5, 2013 in Flower Mound, TX.  She was born in Gaston County, NC on February 26, 1920.  She was the daughter of the late Christopher Sylvester Wells and Lorena Dora Nance Wells of Nebo, North Carolina.  Clarice grew up in a large, loving family that encouraged and inspired her to high levels of achievement.  Her early educational honors included Valedictorian of her high school class, Valedictorian of her Sacred Heart junior college class, and graduating as one of the top four highest honor graduates of the Presbyterian College Class of 1941. Clarice married Robert Edgar Johnson on June 20, 1942.  They were married 62 years until Robert’s death on October 19, 2004.  Clarice is the mother of three children, Janet, Bob, and Tom.  She was a devoted mother and homemaker during their formative years and returned to her professional life when they entered elementary school. She was employed by Whitten Center and Laurens County School District #56 before starting to work at The Career and Personal Counseling Center located at Presbyterian College.  She enrolled in the University of South Carolina and received her Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1966; her Education Specialist Degree in 1968; and her Doctor of Philosophy in Guidance and Counseling in 1970.  She was named Director of the Career and Personal Counseling Center in 1967 and served until her retirement in 1983. In addition to her educational and professional accomplishments, Dr. Johnson accepted many leadership and volunteer positions.  She served on the Board of Directors of Project Lifeline, the Board of Directors of the International Association of Counseling Services, the Executive Council of the South Carolina Personnel and Guidance Association, the Board of Directors of the National Vocational Guidance Association, and the Board of Directors for the Old Ninety Six Girl Scout Council.  She conducted workshops for the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Laurens School Districts #55 and # 56.  Dr. Johnson also served in various positions in Clinton’s Business and Professional Women’s Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Epsilon Chapter, and the National Federation of Penwomen.  She was named Clinton’s “Woman of the Year” in 1964.

Dr. Johnson was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Clinton, where she sang in the choir and served in many other ways.  She and Robert moved to Bailey Manor Retirement Center in 1993.  In 2008 Dr. Johnson moved to Flower Mound, TX to be close to family. Dr. Johnson’s greatest accomplishments centered around her family, friends, home, and church.  Robert, her husband for 62 years, credited her for much of his success as a business owner in the Clinton community.  Her children credit her for loving, encouraging, supporting and inspiring them throughout their lives.  Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were very dearly loved and the light of her life.  Her friends found her to be very caring, helpful and loyal, always concerned for their wellbeing.

Clarice is survived by her loving children, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.   Janet and Robert Smith, Flower Mound, TX: Kelly Smith, Dallas, TX; Brian and Lydia Smith and children Savannah, Colton and Lesline, Fort Worth, TX.  Robert E Johnson, Jr. (Col. Retired USAF) and Cindy, Alexandria,VA; Lt. Col.(USAF) Leigh Johnson, San Antonio, TX; Maj. Scott (USAF) and Maj. (USAF Reserve)Carolynn Johnson and son Nathan, Hill AFB, Utah.  Dr. Thomas (Col. Retired USAF) and Nancy Johnson, Dallas, TX; Beth and Jeremy Williams and children Ella, Evan, and Hayes, Grapevine, TX; Sarah and Dan Avitua and children Sadie Conrey and Lyla, Dallas, TX; Matt and Julie Johnson and daughter Hannah, McKinney, TX; and Mary Wells Johnson, Dallas, TX.  Additional survivors include brother, Dr. Donald Wells, Whitesburg, GA; sisters-in-law Frances Johnson, Greenwood, SC and Jean Johnson, Charlotte, NC.

The family would like to express gratitude to the employees and caregivers of Bailey Manor Retirement Center, Clinton, SC and Autumn Leaves of Flower Mound, TX for the care and love they gave Clarice during the last years of her life.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, February 1, 2014 at ARIA Memorial Chapel in Dallas.  The family will receive friends at 2:00 P.M.

If you would like to honor Dr. Johnson, please consider a donation to any of the following:

First Baptist Church, 301 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325

Bailey Manor Retirement Center, 300 Jacobs Highway, Clinton, SC 29325

Robert E. and Dr. Clarice Wells ’41 Johnson Scholarship Fund, Presbyterian

College, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325

Arrangements are under the direction of

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home
19310 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75252
214-306-6700