Dorothy Johnson-Lister

Dorothy Johnson-Lister, a Christian woman whose name was synonymous with hospitality and kindness, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 6, 2023.  She was 82 years old.

A lifelong Arkadelphia, Arkansas resident, Dorothy was born on November 22, 1940, the daughter of the late James Browning, Sr., and the late Lucy Beard.  She graduated from Peak High School in 1958.  During her upbringing, Dorothy discovered that she had a knack for cooking and baking.

Dorothy answered the Call to Discipleship during her youth.  She was a longtime member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, where, over the years, she served in several capacities enabling her to engage in hospitality and demonstrating care and concern through cooking.

Dorothy’s love of cooking enabled her to bring joy to the faces and palates of numerous students, staff members, and educators at the Arkansas Human Development Center, where she was employed for over 20 years.  Throughout her tenure, her delectable entrees and desserts were wildly popular and routinely requested for community-wide events.

While she enjoyed preparing meals in any setting, Dorothy was especially committed to providing a nurturing environment in her home.  Just as she was zealous in navigating the demands of her employment responsibilities, Dorothy was equally passionate in meeting her family needs.  She prepared varying menus featuring at least 3 complete meals each day, and she contributed to high end provisions to accommodate her children’s needs and preferences.  As a Christian mother, she raised her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, advocated educational and life goal setting, and demonstrated a generous, forgiving heart.  Extremely important to her was practicing what she preached so that her children would develop integrity and follow-through.

Dorothy’s favorite pastime was shopping.  She particularly enjoyed searching for products and services which enhanced her personal expression, her children’s well-being, or their home environment.  Rarely did she engage in “retail therapy” without the companionship of her lifelong best friends, JoAnn Dickerson and the late Essie Tate.

Besides her parents and one of her best friends, Dorothy was preceded in death by her former husband and father of her children, Preston Johnson, Sr., along with a brother, James “Wig” Beard, Jr., and 1 sister, Betty Newburn.

Survivors include:  her husband, Minister Bobby Lister; her doting firstborn, Deacon Preston (Beverly)Johnson, Jr.; her beloved daughter, LaKetha (Kevin, Sr.) Middleton; 2 adoptive children, Monica (Louis) Hamilton and Dr. Odell Nickelberry; her cherished grandchildren, Janey (Mike) Lewis, Javon Nash, Makayla Johnson, Jayden Nash, and Kevin Middleton, Jr.; her treasured great-grandchildren, Laiyah Lewis, Jaiden Lewis, Jhase Lewis, and Kylo Gwen; 3 loving sisters, Gertie Browning, Vera Walker and Beatrice Martin, along with a host of additional relatives and friends.

Services will be held Sunday, May 21, 2023, 3:00 PM in the chapel of Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, Little Rock, Arkansas, with The Rev. Tom Scott, officiating.