Barbara Jean Johnson Porter

Barbara Jean Johnson Porter passed peacefully away at her home in the early hours of January 19, 2019 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Known to her family as Theme, she was born October 24, 1946 to Barbara Cannon and Walter Clawson Johnson to whom she was a devoted and affectionate daughter. Her brother, R. Bruce Johnson, was her first and closest companion and they remained firmly attached her entire life.
When Bruce married Nancy Juhlin, Theme finally got the cherished sister she had always longed for. On June 24. 1969 Theme was married to Lynn Karl Porter to whom she was not only a dedicated and loving wife, but the love of his life and his best friend. With her marriage she gained another wonderful set of parents. Lyman Karl and Bernice Peterson Porter, and a beloved brother and sister, Rob and Kristi Porter and later Connie Porter. She was the adoring, tender, and patient mother of Kimberly (Robert) Gerlach, Lane (Betty) Porter, and Kelly (Horacio Rodriguez) Porter and the doting and delighted grandmother of Ecum, Ibrahim, Antwon, Clara. Anabelle, Henry, Alexander. Ella, Jeremy, Madeline, Marcos, and Elena. Every niece, nephew, and in-law was confident that they were her favorite…and they were all correct!
Barbara was a brilliant and accomplished woman with much to be proud of. She was an exceptional writer who had three published children’s books, wrote a song for the dedication of the Bountiful Temple that was placed in its cornerstone, and composed countless poems and tributes for friends and neighbors. She was a remarkable teacher who cultivated young minds at Bountiful High School for 20 years. She had a Master’s Degree in Education, was a National Board Certified Teacher, wrote curriculum for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served diligently in countless callings and positions within her beloved church. But these accomplishments are not what defined Barbara to those who knew and loved her. Barbara was defined by the joy and love she carried in her heart every day to everyone she came in contact with. Barbara never met a person she didn’t love. She was a gifted friend with a ready listening ear, a welcoming hug, and a comforting shoulder to lean on. She always knew the perfect thing to say (or not say) to console, encourage, and uplift you. She always made you feel as if there was no place on earth she would rather be than sitting with you at that moment. Even after a stroke severely limited her gift of speech eight years ago, she still found ways to serve and love everyone she met. Known to neighbors as “the cookie lady”, she could be seen almost daily walking around the neighborhood delivering cookies where she felt she might be needed.  To know Barbara was to love her…and to be loved by her.
There will be a huge void in the lives of those of us she leaves behind. But we rejoice for her, knowing that she is now free of the limitations of her body and reuniting with people she loved so dearly who have gone on before her.
Services will be at the LDS Chapel located at 1450 S 350 W. Visitation Thursday January 24th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and funeral services will be Friday January 25th at 11:00 am, with visitation hour beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Lake View Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Lake View Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, please take cookies to your neighbor!
Service Information
Viewing January 24, 2019 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Woods Cross 3rd Ward, 1450 South 350 West, Bountiful, Utah





Viewing January 25, 2019 at 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Woods Cross 3rd Ward, 1450 South 350 West, Bountiful, Utah





Funeral Service
January 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Woods Cross 3rd Ward, 1450 South 350 West, Bountiful, Utah