Ethel Dot Johnson Brown

Ethel Dot Johnson, age 91, passed away peacefully April 18, 2016, in South Jordan, Utah. She was born January 19,1925, in the small town of Meadow, Utah, to Harry A. Johnson and Mary Ethel Bushnell. She was raised on a farm inFlowell, Utah, seven miles west of Filmore. She was the eighth of nine children, and having only one brother, it becameher responsibility to care for the dairy cows, a job that she never liked. Although she was named Ethel, she went bythe name of Dot because as she told everyone, her parents meant her to be the last, meaning, the end, dot, period.However, Dot always said, it should have been a comma because another sister came after her. At the age of 16,her mother passed away, which was a great loss for Dot because she cared a lot for her mom. At the age of eight, she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an ice covered pond nearher home. At the completion of high school Dot moved to the Salt Lake area where she found employment at HillAir Force Base. She was trained for her job by a very tall and handsome young man named Robert BringelsonBrown, who did such a great job that Dot became his wife on May 11, 1943. Dot was blessed to be a mother to a son who they named William Bill and three years later a daughter was born thatthey named Susan. Bob and Dot eventually settled down in Redondo Beach, California, where they lived for 27years. A change in Bob's employment meant they sold their home and moved to Anaheim, which for all the familyand extended family was a blessing because it put them even closer to Disneyland. It is impossible to know for surejust how many times Dot accompanied family, friends and friends of friends to Disneyland, but she never tired ofsharing the happy times with everyone. Bob and Dot loved their home but in 2005, Bill and Susan moved them toUtah where they would be closer to family. Grandma was the best at playing "pigs in the pen", "fox and geese" and around the table, card games withgrandchildren and family. When she wasn't playing with them she was telling them stories mostly from herchildhood. Probably the most famous story all will remember is the "hot dog" story. Grandma loved hot dogs.One time, for a special occasion, her Dad purchased a large amount of hot dogs and Dot was so excited but herfather told her that she was not to eat them and he would know if she took one because he had counted them andknew how many there were. Well, Dot figured out that she could take just one bite out of a hot dog, then her Dadwould never know. When he went to cook them he knew exactly which one of his daughters was the culprit.Grandma tells us that she was punished but not because she took the bite but because she was so stupid. Grandmahad the unique talent to make every grandchild feel individually special and loved. Dot's two children grew up and married. Bill married Darlene Koralewski and one month later, Susan marriedPatrick Harrison, becoming an empty-nester in a months time. Bill and Darlene gave Dot eight grandchildren and Sueand Pat gave her another five for a grand total of 13 grandchildren. Those 13 grandchildren grew up, and at present, Dot can claim that she has 39 great-grandchildren and that number will continue to grow. At the time of herpassing she even had three great-great-grandchildren. When all are gathered together, Dot will remark in amazement,"How did we get such a big family from just two children?" Dot and Bob were gracious hosts. Their home was always opened to friends and family and was even nicknamed"The Brown Hotel." If you were traveling to California to visit the beach, Disneyland or other attractions, you werealways welcome to stay at their home. In addition to vacations, they opened their home and heart to those whoneeded help such as refugees, unwed mothers, teens looking for a summer job preferring it to their summer farmwork. Dot was an active member in her church. She held many callings which were easy for her to fulfill because theyrequired her to serve and love others. She often said that her favorite was when she served in the Los AngelesTemple working in the nursery where little ones would wait till it was time to be sealed to their parents. Herdaughter Sue remembers the times that she got to tag along with her mother when she was taking dinners toothers who were in need. Serving, loving and caring for others was just who Dot was. If asked to describe Dot in just one word, many would answer with the word "pig." She delighted in telling all whowould listen about her collection of more than 600 pigs and then would invite (even complete strangers) to come andsee them. It was amazing how she could remember how she acquired the pig and even who gave it to her. Another anomaly for Dot was a penny. Those in the family who see a penny on the ground can't help but think ofher. A penny on the ground would immediately see Dot bending over to pick it up, smiling and then saying, "thatjust made my day." She would tell everyone and again even strangers that she had picked up more 2000 pennies inher lifetime. Simple things brought her much joy, such as family, flowers, the color of autumn leaves, finding pictures in theclouds, shouting bingo when she saw a yellow car, the sound of falling rain, the clap of loud thunder, colorfulsunsets, the majesty of our Utah mountains, her loving husband Bob and most of all her testimony of the gospel. Dot is survived by her husband, Robert Brown; youngest sister, Reva Miller; children, Bill (Darlene)Brown, and Susan (Pat) Harrison; 12 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 23, 12 p.m., at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Roadroad,Taylorsville, Utah. A viewing at the same location will be held Friday evening, April 22 from 6 to 8pm and at 11amthe day of the funeral. Interment will be in the Taylorsville City cemetery. Email condolences towww.mcdougalmail@gmail.com