Jeri Ann Johnson, age 48, of Lawrence, Kansas died Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Select Specialty Hospital in Topeka.

Jeri Ann was born September 20, 1958 at Paola, Kansas. She was the younger of two children born to Charles Russell "Rusty" and Linnie Mae (Keast) Johnson. She grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1977. She graduated from the University of Kansas in the early '80s receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science and Education. While attending K.U. Jeri Ann was in a car accident in 1980 which left her confined to a wheel chair.

She worked for Independence, Inc. of Lawrence where she was a counselor for the disabled until she herself became totally disabled in 1997.

Jeri Ann made her home in Lawrence and became the mother of one daughter Chayla Bennett who was born October 28, 1993.

She had a love for animals, especially cats. She was the proud owner of three cats Sadie, Big Red, and Eddie. She also enjoyed macramé. She was a member of the K.U. Alumni Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her daughter Chayla of Lawrence; her brother Gary Johnson and his wife Rose Rozmiarek of Overbrook, Kansas; two nieces Jamma Markus of Paola and Kerrie Howard of Osawatomie; other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Burial will be in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Connie L. Morgan, Sharon D. Spears, Teresa L. Stiver, Paula L. McAlexander, Kim Spears, Nancy L. Spears, and Michelle L. Davis. She will lie in state after 1:30 p.m. Monday with visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are to the Johnson Center for Cancer Research at Kansas State University or Independence, Inc. of Lawrence and can be sent in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main Street, P. O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064. (913) 755-2114.