Hiawatha Mae Johns (Glidwell) of St. Louis, MO passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Herculaneum, MO at the age of 92.
Hiawatha was born in Dresden, TN on October 18, 1933 to Mack and Viola Glidwell. She married her husband, Emmett Dwight Johns, on November 29, 1952 and the two resided on Cherokee Street in south St. Louis with their four children, Barbara, Carla, David and Terry. She became known to many that she met as “Hiawatha on Cherokee Street,” a fact she loved to share with a smile. She worked for the St. Louis Public School District and retired with over 25 years of service.
Known for her snow white curls, short stature and quick wit, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Whether for holidays, weekends or just a home-cooked meal, her door was always open and her home a hub of love and laughter. It is fitting that Hiawatha’s last day was spent in the company of her family on a Thursday, a day she had always reserved for dinner with any of her grandkids who could stop by. When she wasn’t whipping up family favorites like chicken and dumplings, biscuits and gravy, or chocolate milkshakes, she could be found sipping a cup of coffee, reading, walking at the mall, or settling playful feuds between her grandkids (usually with the help of a wooden spoon). She loved her annual trip to New Orleans with her daughters up until 2019, where her favorite thing was going on the air boat swamp tour, always making sure to tell the driver she wanted to go fast.
She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Dwight, her parents, her youngest son, Terry Johns (Kathy), and her three brothers, John, Robert, and Kenneth. Hiawatha is survived by her three remaining children, Barbara Payne (David), Carla Senseney (Charles), and David Johns; her seven grandchildren, Nickie, Jessica, Samuel (Claire), Megan (Andrew), Daniel, Timothy (Alaina), and Nathan (Emma); and her six great-grandchildren, Jordan, Max, Meredith, Sullivan, McKinley and Cooper.
Visitation and service will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Kutis Funeral Home on Lemay Ferry in South County, followed by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery.
So sorry for the loss of this extraordinary lady, she lived her life well, she’ll never be forgotten by all those who loved her so very much, as she did them 💘
RIP Ms Hiawatha
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Kim and Nickie I especially wish to extend my heartfelt condolences as I know how special she was to you both.
She was loved by so many,She has moved on to a higher place,,No more tears no worries she will be watching from Above until you all see each other again
She was loved by so many,She has moved on to a higher place,,No more tears no worries she will be watching from Above until you all see each other again