Cyrena Mae Starr Johnson, age 72, of Joplin, passed away at 5:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital Emergency Room. Born Nov. 12, 1938, in Phillipsburg, Kan., she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Marie Merklein Starr. She moved to North Kansas City, Mo., then to Cassville, Mo. in 1968. She has lived in Joplin since 1987. After graduating from high school, she attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, and later took classes at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. She and her husband owned and operated Chrysler Corral in Cassville from 1968 to 1986. She was of the Presbyterian faith. On June 8, 1958, she married Eldon Johnson in Phillipsburg. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1986. On June 8, 1958, she married Eldon Johnson in Phillipsburg. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1986. She was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony Johnson in 1973; and two brothers, Kenneth and Rolland Starr. Survivors include a son, Jeff Johnson and wife, Patti, of Joplin; their children, Drew and Lauren Johnson; a son, Curtis Johnson and wife, Stacy, of Monett, Mo.; their children, Peighton and Austin Johnson; a brother, Merle Starr and his wife, Pat, of Hutchinson, Kan.; a sister, Evie Sheets and husband, Scott, of Topeka, Kan.; a brother-in-law, Lowell Johnson and wife, Judy, of Larkspur, Colo.; best friends, Penny Purdy and husband, Bob, of Neosho, Mo., and Eilene Mitchell and husband, Dale, of Joplin. Cyrena loved to travel and spend time with her good friends (The Blue Haired Mafia). She especially enjoyed going on cruises, playing cards and visits to the casino. Cyrena enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was so very proud of their accomplishments. Cyrena was a very strong woman. She was diagnosed with cancer on May 2nd and then survived the tornado on May 22nd, riding it out in her bathtub, as her home disintegrated around her. She will be so missed by her family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 20th at Parker Chapel, after which, the family will receive friends. Drew and Austin Johnson, Bob Purdy, Mark Starr, Dale Mitchell and Greg Arend will serve as pallbearers. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.