Stacey Elizabeth Johnson, age 46, passed away on September 14, 2025, in Plano, Texas. She was a resident of Allen, Texas, and was born in Houston on June 8, 1979, to Jerry and Martha Johnson.
During elementary school, Stacey began riding at Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship. She went on to become an accomplished equestrian, competing at the state, national, and international levels. Stacey was 3x World Champion and 2x Reserve Champion at Palomino World. She won countless gold medals, high point awards, jackets, trophies, belt buckles, and ribbons throughout her career from National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA), Dixie National, American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and other equestrian competitions. She was the first AQHA equestrian with disabilities in the nation to receive high point in all four riding categories. Stacey was featured in magazines, newspapers and on television, bringing awareness to her remarkable achievements as a person with disabilities. In 2003, she proudly competed in the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin, Ireland, where she won a gold medal in English Equitation and a bronze medal in Dressage.
Stacey had a gift for conversation and a love of public speaking, always using her voice to inspire and bring people together. In March 2015, she was the only speaker to receive a standing ovation at the AQHA Exhibitor Convention. She began her journey with Special Olympics as an athlete, later joining the Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs), and eventually advancing to become a Global Messenger. In this role, she gave countless speeches to major corporations, sharing the mission and importance of Special Olympics, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. She was honored in 2013 as Female Athlete of the Year Greater Dallas - Area 10 and 2013 Female Athlete of the year for the State of Texas. Special Olympics held a very special place in Stacey’s heart and was an important part of her life. In addition to Equestrian, she participated in Bocce Ball, Track and Field, and Golf. She adored the Torch Run officers. Stacey supported Tip-A-Cop, helping fundraise for Special Olympics. Three times, she bravely rappelled, by herself, “Over the Edge”16 story buildings.
Beyond sports, Stacey loved spending time with her family. She cherished quality time with her friends. You could spend all day with her and still get a text as soon as you leave asking when you would come back, ask her sister Amy, she knows that was true. She loved playing board games and cards. Whether it was Skip-Bo, Spades (where she and Jordan often beat Martha and Amy), Yahtzee, or Rummikub, Stacey’s competitive and joyful spirit always shone through. She also enjoyed her iPad games, including Cookie Jam, level 10018, Candy Mania, Word games, and more. Stacey was an avid collector, like her dad, with close to 200 painted ponies.
Her most recent love was her new church home at First Baptist Church in Allen. She spoke lovingly about her church friends, teachers, and ministers and looked forward to attending Sunday mornings.
Stacey loved the holidays and never missed an opportunity to celebrate and gave generously. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She carefully picked out each gift and spread the season’s magic with everybody around her. She was also a dedicated and lifelong Dallas Cowboys’ fan, never missing a game and always cheering on every single player, loudly, from her favorite spot right in front of the TV.
Stacey was never late, she insisted on being early to horse shows, bocce ball games, golf practice, parties, and more. She loved any excuse to celebrate and dance, bringing joy and laughter wherever she went.
Though Stacey lived with Van Buchem disease, a rare condition that brought both physical and intellectual challenges, she never allowed it to define her. She faced life with courage, determination, and joy, always finding ways to pursue her passions and achieve her dreams.
Stacey is survived by her mother, Martha Johnson; her sister, Amy Lauderdale; her niece, Jordan Lauderdale; her aunt and uncle, Mary and Jerry Martin; her cousins, Stephanie and husband Chris Griffith and their children Ashlyn and Avery; Brian and wife Stephanie Martin and their children Payton, Hudson, and Cayson; Maggie and husband Ross Cargile and their children Matthew and Sophia; and her special friend, Jonathan Blackmon. She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Johnson, and her grandparents, Lars and Louise Johnson, and Bill and Louise Rushing.
In lieu of flowers, please find it in your heart to donate to one of these organizations: First Baptist Church in Allen, National Snaffle Bit Association, Special Olympics Texas, Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship or Stable Strides Farm.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Allen, 201 East McDermott Drive, Allen, Texas 75002.