Charlene Johnson was born on March 27, 1933 to Charles Bernard Stearns and Clarissa "Cassie" Adeline (Pepper) Stearns at her maternal grandparents' farm near Spivey, Kansas.  One of five kids, her family lived in Harper, Kansas and this is where she attended grade school and high school.

As a young adult, Charlene worked at Marie's café in Harper.  She met Walter Wayne Johnson and the two were united in marriage on October 24, 1953 in Wichita, Kansas.  Their union was blessed with five children: Philip Wayne, Barbara Lynn, Kevin Eugene, Janel Marie, and Carol Ann.  The family lived on a farm south of Harper and after her kids were all born, Charlene started working outside of the home.  While maintaining her role as a mother and homemaker, she also worked a few different places such as the Harper Hospital as a cook and at the meat packing plant in Crystal Springs, Kansas.

Charlene was a very active member of the Harper Christian Church, to include singing in the choir.  She enjoyed reading, especially her Bible.  After her divorce, Charlene moved first to Wellington, Kansas where she worked in the nursing home.  She then moved to Wichita, Kansas and attended the Westside Christian Church for many years.  Moving to an assisted living center on the east side of Wichita, she began attending Countryside Christian Church.

In the last few years of her life, Charlene's decline in health meant moving to LakePoint of Wichita for her care.  This is where she passed away on July 26, 2020 at the age of 87 years, 3 months, and 29 days.

Preceding Charlene in death are her parents, Bernard and Cassie.  She is survived by her children: Philip Johnson and his wife, Kay of Wichita, Barbara White and her husband, Billy of Wichita, Kevin Johnson and his wife, Shelia of Troy, Illinois, Janel Williams and her husband, Eric of Katy, Texas, and Carol Ruckle and her husband, Brett of Grapevine, Texas; her siblings: Marcene (George) Mitchell, Lois Ferguson, Roger (Sandy) Stearns, and Brent (Mary) Stearns; grandchildren: Kyle Johnson, Scott Johnson, Brody White, Beth White, Jessica (Johnson) Fitts, Erin (Johnson) Moore, Corinne Johnson, Palar Williams, and Blake Williams; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Visitation is from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, with family present to receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Funeral Service is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2020, Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Harper with Pastor Ed Hughlett officiating.  Interment will follow at the Harper Cemetery.  The funeral service will be live streamed on the funeral homes' Facebook page, www.facebook.com/prairierosefuneralhomes .

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Harper Christian Church and can be sent in care of the funeral home.  Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058.