August 23, 1950 – July 22, 2018
Deborah ‘Debbie’ Elaine (Ferguson) Johnson, 67, Arcadia, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018 at home. She was born August 23, 1950 to Isaac and Katherine (Miller) Ferguson in Noblesville.
Debbie was a 1968 graduate of Noblesville High School where she shined as the feature twirler for the Noblesville Marching Millers. She went on to perform as the feature twirler at Indiana University and had the honor of leading the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade in the summer of 1966.
In February of 1969, she married James Allen Johnson, and they remained married for 49 years. Debbie ran a successful baton and dance-twirl studio for years, where she was known to her students as “Miss Debbie.” She prided herself on teaching girls and young women grace, work ethic, character, integrity and confidence through dance and baton performance. She encouraged her students to live by the words of one of her favorite quotes by Helen Keller: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” She also loved volunteering as a choreographer for the Noblesville Millers Marching Band in recent years.
Debbie, or ‘Nannie’ to her grandchildren, was passionate about traveling to her granddaughter’s NCAA and USA Diving meets and watching her grandson hit home runs at his baseball games. Debbie enjoyed cooking, quilting, crochet, planting flowers, reading on her Kindle, writing, costume design, judging at baton competitions, listening to the Grand Ole Opry, decorating her home for the holidays and spending time with her beloved poodle, Millie.
She is survived by her husband, James A. Johnson; sons, Michael A. Johnson and Donald Isaac Johnson; her daughter, Sophia L. (Adam C.) Sharp; and her grandchildren, Meme K. Sharp and Reese W. Sharp.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, Noblesville, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wheeler Mission Ministries, 205 E. New York St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; wheelermission.org.
Condolences: randallroberts.com
Arrangements
Calling: 2 to 3 p.m., July 28
Service: 3 p.m., July 28
Location: Randall & Roberts Funeral Center
Condolences: randallroberts.com