Lucy Fern Johnson Kell of Eureka Springs was born February 28, 1929, in the Keels Creek/Greenwood Hollow area near Eureka Springs, to Glen Theodore and Lena Fern (Worley) Johnson.
Lucy passed peacefully in her sleep, Sept. 7, 2022, in her little Fern Cottage home she loved, at age 93.
Lucy grew up in a log home built by her dad and brothers. She attended Pine Grove School, also built by her dad on land he donated to the Winona community, where she received an excellent education. Her math skills could match anyone.
Lucy would occasionally ride a horse to town, tie it at the water trough across from what is now the Historical Museum, and walk up to the post office to pick up mail from her two brothers serving in the Navy during World War II.
Lucy was a true native of the area, being sixth generation of several old-time families including, besides the Johnsons and Worleys, the Harps, two separate Clark families, the Youngbloods, Evans, Beasons, and Epprights.
Lucy loved genealogy and spent more than 50 years searching old records for family ties, often traveling to old courthouses and libraries in hopes of solving just one more mystery. She would frequently get side-tracked by other Carroll County families. The dates and names were all in her head, ready to be of help to anyone who asked, and always accurate.
On July 27, 1946, Lucy married Paul Henry Kell from one of Berryville’s many-generational families. They left that day for Idaho, where their two daughters were born, and stayed until 1960 when the family moved back to Eureka Springs to stay.
For many years they ran the Esso/Exxon full-service gas station at Highways 23 South and 62 East. After retirement, Paul enjoyed watching the wild birds at his feeders on the White Street house deck. Lucy worked several years for both the Gustin and Bird gift shops, where she enjoyed meeting people from everywhere.
Lucy is survived by her two daughters, Paula Breid and husband, Michael, of Eureka Springs, and Vicki Schneider and husband, Greg, of Holiday Island. She is also survived by her brother Joe Johnson and wife, Izell, of Springdale, her sister June Johnson Westphal of Springdale, her sister Wanda Johnson Tirey of Huntsville, her sister-in-law Mary Ann Johnson of Rogers, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides Paul, her husband of 59 years, Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Lena Johnson, her brothers Floyd, Wayne, infant Jewell, Glen Jr., and Bill.
Lucy was a great cook, a loving, kind mother always there for her family to help in any way possible, and she is greatly missed.
There will be no services, per her wishes. Nelson Funeral Home will handle arrangements and burial will be in the Historic Eureka Springs Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Eureka Springs Cemetery, c/o Eureka Springs City Hall, 44 S. Main Street, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.