Odaleen Peters Johnson, 94, of Cecilia, died on Sunday March 13, 2022, at Baptist Health Hardin Hospital in Elizabethtown, KY. She was born in Eastview, Ky to Carneal and Alice Goodman Peters on April 18, 1927. When her mother died in childbirth on May 06, 1930, Odaleen's idyllic life suddenly came to a halt. Eventually, at the age of 12, she walked miles and miles to the train depot in Eastview and all alone, rode the train to Louisville to live with an older sister and her family. In 1943, while enjoying a night at Fountain Ferry Amusement Park, she caught the eye of a young soldier stationed at Fort Knox, KY named Gerald Johnson. Only sixteen and too pretty to not catch the eyes of many young soldiers, she agreed to marry him when and if, he returned from the War in Europe. Return he did and on October 29, 1945, they were married. After visiting Gerald's family in Holmquist, South Dakota, they settled in Louisville, KY to begin married life. On August 19, 1948, they welcomed their only child, Linda Kay. Born with a "determined spirit" Odaleen was never satisfied with the status quo and strongly believed that everyone can strive to do better. One of her crowning achievements was earning her GED which enabled her to secure a TV-Aide's job with the Jefferson County Public schools at Western High School. Even though breast cancer interrupted her career, she again found her "determined spirit" and with Gerald, purchased a farm in Eastview while still living in Louisville. Eventually, they both retired to the farm where Odaleen enjoyed their cattle and watched their only grandchild, Neal, experience unique adventures. Her "determined spirit" surfaced again when she and Gerald purchased a cabin at Rough River. Having still a large group of family and friends, she loved to entertain at the cabin and go for joy rides in their pontoon boat. Building a new home in Cecilia was her last "determined spirit" undertaking. Here again, she loved to entertain family and friends, particularly at the holidays. When Gerald was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2013, her "determined spirit" was shaken. After his death, she lived at her home for the next six years, with in-home care from family and friends. After a fall at home, her family moved her to Helmwood Healthcare Center where she resided for the next 20 months. She was baptized in the Southern Baptist faith and found comfort in many rural churches. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Charles and Eddie Peters; five sisters, Mamie Elliott, Rosa Witten DeSpain, Betty Duvall, Lorraine Einsel, and Eunice Lee Goodman; four infant brothers and sisters; stepmother Nina Bruce Peters; and four half-brothers; Arnold, Vanis, Owen and Maurice Peters. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter Linda Kay Linder (Doyle); grandson Neal Brandon Sharp (Sarah); great-granddaughter Amelia Jane Sharp; half-brother Farlan Peters (Faye) and two special nieces: Bonnie Lucas and Iona Waddell. The family wishes to thank her in-home caregivers: Ron and Jessie Cottrill, Shirley and Tony Peters, and Lisa Sanders; the many compassionate and caring hands of the Helmwood Healthcare Center staff; the Emergency Room and 5th floor nursing staff at Baptist Health Hardin Hospital and physicians Dr. Chris Godfrey, Dr. Syed Haidir and Dr. Pendleton. Her funeral is Friday at 2 pm at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens. Visitation is from 11 to 2 pm the day of the funeral. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Helmwood Healthcare Center, Elizabethtown, KY.

Visitation:

Friday, March 18, 2022 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home

Service:

Friday, March 18, 2022 starting at 2:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home