Susan McClarty-Johnson

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Susan Diane Johnson, age 65, of Louisville, Kentucky after a long valiant 16 year battle with cancer. She died peacefully under hospice care at Baptist East Hospital on June 29, 2026. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Marion Sudduth McClarty Jr and her husband, Charles R. Johnson. Left to cherish her memory are three sons: Blake C. Johnson, Matthew R. Johnson, and Ryan M. Johnson, and her mother, Joan R. McClarty; brother, David McClarty; sister, Kyle M. Penn; nieces, Kristen Hill (Don), Nicole McClarty; nephews, Hiram Penn, Alex McClarty; great-nephew, Max McClarty, and a host of friends.

Susan was born on November 29, 1960, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. She graduated from Westport High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Eastern Kentucky University in 1983, where she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. After graduation, Susan worked in Seattle, Washington, for several years before returning to Louisville and joining General Electric Company (GE). She had a notable career in sales at GE before retiring after some sixteen years. In 1992, she met and married the love of her life, Charlie Johnson. They shared 32 years of marriage until his passing in 2024. Together, they raised three sons, who were Susan’s greatest treasures, and she was immensely proud of all their accomplishments. She loved being a “boy mom” and attended all school activities and sports events. As a family, they shared a love of movies, music, and football. Susan especially enjoyed concerts and appreciated all kinds of music, though she and Charlie had a special bond over rock and roll. As a couple, they were devoted University of Louisville football fans and held season tickets for many years. Susan had a passion for gardening and faithfully tended her beautiful flowers each year. She enjoyed Halloween and always decorated the entire house.     A lifelong dog lover, Susan made sure her sons shared that same affection for dogs. She had many different breeds of dogs over the years from a Shih Tzu to a Labrador Retriever. Her current dogs are Lucy- Havanese, Loki-Cavapoo, and Olive-Labradoodle. They will greatly miss their mom.

Outside of her family and work, Susan was an avid long-distance runner. She started running as a young adult; she ran and completed the Mini Marathon of the Kentucky Derby Marathon several times. Susan was passionate about her friendships. If she considered you a true friend, you were her friend for life. She had several friendships of more than thirty or forty years. Susan was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church for twenty-five years. When her children were younger, she and Charlie volunteered with the youth group. As a family, they went on several mission trips.

One of Susan’s most endearing qualities was her love of good pranks. She was an unsuspecting prankster. Susan loved pulling off a good prank without getting caught. One of her most notable pranks was on her wedding day when she hired a lady to show up at the happy couple’s wedding reception and pretend to be her husband’s wife. No one suspected Susan, especially her new husband, Charlie. Since it was Charlie’s birthday as well as his wedding day, Susan thought it was a fitting birthday present.

The family would like to thank all of Susan’s physicians, nurses, and therapists. A special thank-you goes to Baptist Health Medical Group Hematology & Oncology (CBC Group), Dr. Huber, and their entire staff. Also, a particular thanks to Hospice of Louisville and Baptist East Palliative Care. The family greatly appreciates all the staff who took such good care of Susan during her last weeks.

Arrangements are being handled by Stoess Funeral Home, 6534 W State Hwy 22, Crestwood, Kentucky, with visitation on Monday, July 6th, 2026, between 2:00 – 8:00 pm.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Susan’s life will be held at Stoess Funeral Home, Tuesday, July 7th at 11:00 a.m.  A graveside service and burial will immediately follow the church service at Floydsburg Cemetery, Crestwood, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Susan Johnson to Susan B. Komen, a nonprofit organization for fighting breast cancer, www.komen.org

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