Former New Mexico banker Sarah D’ion Johnson passed away on May 12, 2024. The cherished daughter of former NMBA President and State Senator Don Kidd and his wife Sarrah Kidd, D’ion was born in San Angelo, Texas. She was raised in Carlsbad, where she excelled in school and became an accomplished equestrian.

D’ion 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 — all 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.

D’ion 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.

D’ion was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, as well as her father, Don. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah; her son-in-law, Kevin; and their daughter, Darcy. She is also survived by 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.