Madison Middle School has dedicated a parkway to a beloved educator and friend.

During a parkway dedication ceremony on Monday morning, Madison Middle School Principal Joey Eidson gave remarks about an incredible woman that was the heart of the school. Eidson was proud to name the path behind Madison the "Lisa G. Johnson Parkway." He said they will forever miss Lisa Johnson, but they're happy to have something that physically represents the person that Lisa was to students, faculty and the community alike.

Eidson said Lisa was on the committee that hired him 16 years ago. He laughed and said that Lisa was the only person on that committee that smiled. To Eidson, putting everyone at ease was Lisa's greatest strength; Lisa was the heart of the Madison family. 

Creating a walkway that gave people peace and put people at ease was the ultimate goal after Lisa passed on July 7, 2020, after a tough bout with cancer. Eidson said Lisa was a registrar for Madison that made everyone - student, teacher, and faculty or community member - feel loved. He said they felt like they were in over their heads at times, but they never had a shortage of people show up to help out with the project, including Madison students that dedicated their time to move heavy rocks, stain the arches or weed eat.

1,500 feet of rock line the sides of the pathway at Madison. Cedar arches also greet people at the ends of Lisa G. Johnson Parkway, and plants have been put in place along the path. Eidson thanked everyone that gave of their time and their finances to make this project possible. He said they will continue to add to the space as the years come and go. 

Lisa's husband, Rick, also gave remarks about his wife's impact. Rick thanked everyone that stood by his side during a difficult time as the parkway project became a reality. He said he is truly blessed and said his family loves everyone that has supported them.

Rick said the pathway was the result of an idea that Lisa had a few years back when she discussed a safety grant with Mr. Eidson and how the path would best benefit Madison's students Rick said his wife was a huge proponent of the pathway and had the full support of Eidson, Superintendent Chuck McCauley and the Bartlesville Public Schools Board of Education. He said his wife wanted the walkway to benefit the children in their very own neighborhood; Lisa wanted the kids to walk to school on a beautiful morning if they so desired.

Lisa's family was very aware of her passion for the path. In family humor, Rick said their youngest daughter, Macy, began to call the path the LGJ Parkway in her honor. He said they knew the path would forever be the LGJ Parkway within their own home.

After Lisa passed in July 2020, Rick and Mr. Eidson were in front of Madison on a Thursday morning to greet students. Rick said they would always catch up as friends during this time and that he would go on to tell Eidson about his family's secret about the path. He said a small tribute of an idea became what the LGJ Parkway is today. 

Lisa was a humble person. Rick said his wife had a servant's heart that didn't like the spotlight. He said Lisa needed to know that Madison's students were doing well and that they had the desire to succeed. He said the well-being of each student was important to her and the students knew it.

Rick said Lisa would have loved the parkway. He said he and his family walk the path whenever they can and they feel the peace, the comfort and the presence of Lisa on their strolls. He said Lisa's light continues to shine.

The Johnson family had been planning on donating money to a student that would earn the Lisa Johnson Award they have created. However, Eidson said that people started to call him to tell him that one award wasn't enough. He said they were telling him that they wanted to help award up to two Lisa Johnson Awards per class.

When it is safe and Madison is able to open its doors to the public, Eidson would invite everyone to see the award display. He added that Lisa and Rick Johnson will be the first people that they honor on their alumni wall.

Rick and Mr. Eidson then joined together to hang a sign at the cedar archway closest to Madison Middle School. The sign simply reads, "Lisa G. Johnson Parkway."