Sarah D’ion Johnson ended her battle with cancer on Sunday, May 12, 2024, a most appropriate day for a wonderful momma and granmomma to pass into the comfort of eternal rest. The cherished daughter of Melvin Don Kidd and his wife, Sarrah D Kidd (Whitley), Dion was born in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas on February 6, 1962. Raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Dion excelled in school and became an accomplished rider and a unique gift of horsemanship. In August of 1981, she gave birth to her beloved daughter and namesake Sarah Marie Canberg (Samp), with whom she shared an unbreakable bond.
Dion set an example and returned to school as a young adult, working hard to earn degrees from New Mexico State University, the University of Phoenix, and Western State School of Banking while steadily advancing her career at Western Commerce Bank, first in Carlsbad and then at Western Bank in Alamogordo. Through her grit and perseverance, she ultimately earned the title of Bank President, a trailblazing accomplishment that earned her the distinction of becoming the first female head of a financial services institution in New Mexico history. In 1991, Dion married her life partner Richard Jerome “R.J.” Johnson, with whom she shared many laughs and adventures. Dion was a civic-minded and generous person; she served on various banking boards and gave her time freely to organizations such as the Rotary Club and Elks. As a banker in Alamogordo, she was particularly proud of the many opportunities she had to assist the men and women of our armed forces with their financial challenges, for which she was frequently recognized. She was even prouder to be a grandmother, which she became in 2012.
Dion was preceded in death by her husband, Richard as well as her father, Don. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah and her husband, Kevin and their daughter, Darcy; her mother, Sarrah; her sisters, Vickye Faulk and Renai Kidd; her brother-in-law, David; her cherished nieces and nephews; and the many friends and loved ones she made during her journey – especially James Kelly.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Alamogordo Funeral Home Chapel, Alamogordo, New Mexico. The funeral service for Sarah Johnson will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Alamogordo Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles K. Gardin Jr. officiating.
Dion will be interred with her late husband at a graveside service at Barnes Cemetery in Fayetteville, Tennessee at 12pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Family requests yellow flowers only or donations in her memory to Homeless Solutions, Inc.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sarah D’ion Johonson
