Juanita M. (Franklin) Lyons

Juanita Marlene Lyons of Oxford, Ohio, got her wings Thursday, March 25, 2021. Her death was unexpected and has left her family & friends devastated. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Juanita Franklin and Albert Franklin.

Marlene was a God-fearing woman who loved the Lord. Worshipping Him, whether at church or home was her passion. She was a life-long member of First Baptist Church, Oxford, Ohio where she volunteered her services. Now she is rejoicing because she finally received her reward: Heaven!  She was a loyal and faithful servant. Although Marlene was 70 years old at the time of her death, she was full of life and more vibrant than most half her age. She was out going and a people person. If you were lucky enough to cross her path, you'd soon become friends.  

Little things made her happy. She loved fishing, bowling, and playing cards. She got immense pleasure out of sitting on her front porch and enjoying the sounds of the evening and the beauty of the moon and stars or watching classic movies on tv. She also enjoyed family get togethers, yet valued her alone time. She thrived on grilling steaks, chicken, pork chops, hamburgers, and hotdogs for family events. If you didn't have a variety of meats, well that wasn't a cook out. 

It was obvious that Marlene's mom passed down her gift of athleticism. Marlene was a talented athlete who competed in interscholastic basketball, volleyball, and track and field. She also was a Talawanda Shakerette. After graduating high school she married Carroll Edward Johnson and had two beautiful children. She subsequently divorced and relocated to Seattle, WA where she worked for Boeing Airlines for several years. She later decided it would be advantageous to raise her children in the same wonderful town where she had grown up, as well as live closer to her mother. so she moved back to Oxford.

Marlene was the oldest of 7 children and became self-sufficient at an early age. She learned how to sew and could create just about anything with some material and a needle and thread. She sewed beautiful outfits for her sisters and herself. She also discovered the thrill of cooking when helping her mom and granny prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Her love for cooking led her to her career at Miami University. She devoted many years as a short order cook for students at the Shriver Center. 

When most people reach the age of retirement, they are ready to stay home, not Marlene. She thrived on working. She felt it helped keep her both mentally and physically fit. After leaving the Shriver Center she worked in the fast food industry for more than five years. She enjoyed the customers and coworkers and looked forward to going to work every day. After raising 5 beautiful children she pursued her dream of earning a business degree. She took classes at Miami University while working full time until her dream became a reality.  Marlene's determination and perseverance to achieve her goal paid off. Her family members were proud as they watched her receive her diploma at graduation.  

Juanita Marlene Lyons is survived by her children, Stephanie L. Johnson, Edward Johnson, Calvin Cottman, Joseph Cottman, and Ada Lyons; 7 Grandchildren; 3 Great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margit Franklin, Alberta Franklin, and Denise Franklin; two brothers Al Franklin, and Steven Franklin; Aunt and Uncle Barbara and Ronald Manuel, Uncle Marvin Henry, and many nieces and nephews, and friends. She is also survived by her best friend & running buddy, Betty Lawson. Marlene was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Franklin, father, Albert Franklin, and brother, Richard Franklin, grandparents, and many friends.

A visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church, 6701 Ringwood Rd., Oxford, OH 45056 on Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with funeral services beginning at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Woodside Cemetery.

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