Mattie Clay Johnson

June 22, 1931 - March 27, 2019

Frankfort – Mattie Clay Johnson, born June 23, 1931, in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on March 27, 2019, in Lexington. Though she had no children of her own, Mattie was the quintessential Kentucky mama and grandma to all those blessed to know her well. She had a quick wit and an insatiable appetite for adventure, as well as for sweets. She was happiest with a cat or two in her lap and a book at the ready, and she was rarely far from her beloved husband, Vernon L. Johnson, until his death in January 2014. Mattie will be remembered for her generosity, her huge heart, and her zest for life. She was an avid photographer and a voracious reader, never missing the latest from her favorite authors. She volunteered for years with the Kentucky Historical Society and had an infamous soft spot for animals, especially of feline variety. She and Vernon kept a menagerie of house cats over the years and their house was a prime destination for neighborhood strays who knew Mattie would never fail to leave out a bowl of food. She is survived by her nephews, Robert (Wanda) Carpenter, Donald (Joyce) Carpenter, and Harold (Vickie) Carpenter; numerous great-nephews and great-nieces; as well as two beloved cats. She was preceded in death by Vernon, her husband of 49 years; parents, Bramblet and Bessie Cartmill; sister, Christine Carpenter; brother, Harold Cartmill; and niece, Peggy Profumo. Services will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home on Monday, April 1, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. with Minister David Eakin officiating. She will be laid to rest at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, next to Vernon and her parents. Visitation will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. service time on Monday. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Woodford County Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home.