In Memory of Cynthia Barnes Johnson (May 30, 1942 – November 13, 2023)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Cynthia Barnes Johnson, who died on November 13, 2023, at the age of 81.

Cynthia was born in Rockford, IL on May 30, 1942, to Phoebe and Bill Barnes. The middle of three children, she was raised in Rockford. The family joined the Church of the Christian Union-Unitarian when Cynthia was nine years old. She liked being a Unitarian, especially as a teenager because of the LRY experience.

In 1963, Cynthia married Albert Johnson. In 1964, she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Grinnell College, IA following which she taught elementary school in Iowa and Illinois for three years. During the next decade and a half, her family grew and flourished, and her life combined family responsibilities, community service, a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1977), intermittent employment, and ongoing involvement in Unitarian Universalism. She became the director of a daycare center, worked as a writer for a university development office, and chaired a bio-medical ethics council. All these years, her understanding of the UU ministry grew. After two decades of lay leadership in the Unitarian Universalist congregations, she decided to enter the ministry. She wanted to increase the church’s vitality and energy while nurturing a deepening spirit in individuals through her preaching, teaching, counseling, and administration. Being with people, being a resource for their growth, and participating in significant moments in their lives was her vision of ministry. In 1991, she received her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

Rev. Johnson was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX on June 9, 1991, where she served as an acting Religious Educator during the sabbatical of Rev. Norma Veridan (1990-1991). She developed a new procedure for evaluating church school curriculum, inaugurated a picture album called “Our Church School Family”, began a series of potluck suppers for parents new to RE, and sponsored a major parenting conference, “Raising Children Unitarian Universalist-ly”.

Rev. Johnson served as a Metroplex minister for the North Texas Association of UU Societies (1991-1992) and as a minister for the Church Community at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX (1991-1995). Metroplex Ministry was a UU Extension Ministry position in which Rev. Johnson served as a consultant on growth and extension for eight congregations in North Texas. She offered leadership, acted as a resource, and implemented a denominational program. At the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX, she initiated and supported a Lay Ministry Pastoral Care Program called “Befrienders”. She was available to lay people and staff in a warm, affirming way. She focused on many activities on growth and assimilation working with the Membership Chair to strengthen the path to membership. Rev. Johnson helped support the Community Service Council and worked to clarify the “Affiliated Group” status and relationship to the various Social Concerns groups in the church. In 1995, she accepted a call from the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, OK where she would serve until 2000.

She enjoyed ministry and brought that enthusiasm to the congregation. Likewise, her denominational ties were strong. She was a member of the UU Women’s Alliance (1985); the UU Ministers Association (1987); Ministerial Sisterhood UU (1987); and Dallas/Fort Worth UU Ministers Association (1989); and a keynote speaker at the Southwest UU Women’s Conference (1993). Her Children’s story on creation was published in the UUA’s Reach Packet, Spring 1994. 

Cynthia was also a community leader serving as vice chair of the Outagamie County Community Board and as a chair of the mental health committee (1972-1975). She was president of the League of Women Voters (Appleton,1976-1977; 1983-1985); and a community liaison and program vice president for the Las Colinas Women’s Association (1985-1988). 

In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, traveling, SCUBA diving, and photography. She had a lifelong love of words, writing poetry beginning her second grade. She published two books of poetry and has hundreds of unpublished poems. Her favorite part of ministry was preparing a meaningful sermon for every Sunday service.

Cynthia is survived by her husband Albert Johnson; her children: Bruce Johnson, Tad Johnson (Beth Von Ohlen), and Ellen Willmore (Charlie Willmore); and her grandchildren: Alexander, Lucinda, Netta, and Wyatt.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on December 20, 2023, at the UU Fellowship of Door County, 10341 Water Street, Highway 42, Ephraim, WI 54211.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Unity Hospice, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, the Door County Land Trust,or your favorite Door County cause.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Al Johnson, 7455 State Highway 57, Baileys Harbor WI 54202, or amjohnsonbhwi@gmail.com.