Mary Johnson Memorial

a celebration of life

Mary Baldwin

johnson february 2, 1919 - april 17, 2017

Order of Service

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 11 O’Clock in the Morning St. Paul A.M.E. Church - 2501 Shurling Drive - Macon, Georgia Doctor Harvey Williamson - Presiding Elder, Macon South District Officiant THE PROCESSIONAL and LAST GLANCE THE HYMN of COMFORT THE LITURGY of the WORD old testament Reverend Quinton Maddox Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church new testament Reverend Horace G. Banks A.M.E. Church (Retired) the gospels Reverend Jesse Boyington THE PRAYER Doctor Harvey Williamson THE SOLO Presiding Elder Benjamin Ridley Macon North District THE REMARKS (Please limit reflections to three minutes) THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and RESOLUTIONS Sister Dorothy Ellis Ridley Episcopal President, Sixth Episcopal District Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization, Plus PK's Sixth District State of Georgia Women Missionary Society Designee THE SOLO Ms. Nancy Johnson Price THE EULOGY Reverend H. E. Terrell A.M.E. Presiding Elder (Retired) THE RECESSIONAL THE INTERMENT Woodlawn Memorial Park 2005 Woodlawn Drive - Macon, Georgia 31211 THE REPAST St. Paul A.M.E. Church Fellowship Hall

i shall pass through but once

M

ary Lee Baldwin Johnson was born February 2, 1919 in Macon County, Georgia.

She was the last surviving sibling of eight children born to Robert and Lula Mae Baldwin. Her brothers and sisters included Carrie who was born in 1913; Joseph 1915; Sterling 1920; King Edward 1922; Emma 1930; Mildred 1934; and Lucinda 1942. Among their strong family ties, the bond between the Baldwin sisters was especially evident and enduring until the end. In the early morning hours of April 17, 2017, at the age of 98, Mrs. Johnson gently closed her eyes and answered God’s call. In her extended lifetime, fueled by a steadfast faith, she witnessed many changes and rewritings of the history that she loved to observe and recount. Come Holy Spirit in your own gentle way.

As a child, Mrs. Johnson attended public schools in Macon and Peach counties and later became a certified and long practicing LPN until her retirement in 1987. Educated beyond her formal training, Mrs. Johnson valued knowledge and exercised high standards in her carriage, appearance, etiquette, and vocation. She was a natural teacher who demonstrated to young and old people that everyone can learn. Most importantly, she embodied what Paul referenced in Galatians as “the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” As a great story teller with an unusual storehouse for history, any encounter with her was informing, memorable and encouraging. Consequently, Mrs. Johnson was admired and regarded equally by her family, her employers, her neighbors, her caretakers and, of course, her church and missionaries.

She grew up in a Christian home; accepted Christ early in life; and was married for 65 years to Reverend C. R. Johnson, who was a faithful servant of God, spiritual counselor, and great husband. Mrs. Johnson was an inspiration to developing ministers and to the wives of many ministers. As a loving wife and spiritual partner, Mrs. Johnson traveled extensively with Reverend Johnson attending conferences and workshops.

Together they touched lives and contributed to the quality of African Methodism across Georgia ministering in the cities of Rockmart, Athens, Waycross, Thomaston and Macon. Wherever they served, their home was a gathering place for sharing good news; tapping into their wisdom; breaking bread; witnessing true love; searching Reverend Johnson’s personal library; singing favorite hymns to Mrs. Johnson’s piano playing; and admiring her magnificent garden and crafts. Mrs. Johnson loved nurturing and growing God’s creations: pets, plants, flowers and people--especially children. Reverend Johnson preceded his beloved wife in death in 2001.

As a member of the Women’s Missionary Society since 1937 and a lifetime member since 1986, Mrs. Johnson held positions on the local, district and conference level meeting friends and fostering relationships wherever she went. She served as local president and chaired numerous state and district pageants and events. As with all of her endeavors, Mrs. Johnson lived out the Christian, service creed of the Women's Missionary Society.

She was also an active member of The Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization, Plus PK's Organization of the Sixth District State of Georgia, serving for a period as President.

As she grew older, she was surrounded by a loyal cadre of family and friends surrounded at her Blackmon Avenue home giving back some of the nurturing and support that Mrs. Johnson poured into others throughout her stronger years. Later in life, she moved to The Oaks Nursing Home where she was again admired for her lively wit, age defying spirit, sense of humor, independence, queenly air and gratitude.

Mrs. Johnson leaves to cherish her memories: nieces and nephews, Rhonda Williams (James), Katreena Arnold (Clarence ), Katreena (Nero), Lou Eddie, Shirley Boyington ( Jesse), Reba Myers, Edna Tobie, Mytrice (Bobby), Diane Walters, Brenda, Oscar Leary, George Leary, Robert Baldwin (Odessa), Emmett, Jr. (Wanda), Horace Barron, James Barron (Lou), Joseph Baldwin, Jr., Charles Cobb (Rhonda), Carl J. Fredrick, and Kenneth Baldwin (Kesha); several great nephews and nieces, including Renauta Everett and Carolyn Gilbert; and a large number of additional beloved relatives and friends.

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HO CAN FIND

a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

PROVERBS 31:10-13, KJV

i

shall pass through this world but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now. Let me not wait or neglect it for tomorrow is not promised. I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireplace and simply look on. I am a missionary always ready to serve others, to give to others the way God has given to me. I leave you with peace, joy and love.

MARY L. JOHNSON, 2010

Acting Pallbearers

Friends of the Family

Honorary Pallbearers Joseph Baldwin, Jr. Horace Barron Robert Baldwin James Barron Charles Cobb Emmett Mathis

Acknowledgements

THE HUDGENS-MCKINNEY-DUGGAN FAMILY: We appreciate you for cultivating years of friendship, care, attention and generosity toward Mrs. Johnson. You extended an employee relationship into a familial relationship across several generations. Aunt Mary expressed deep appreciation for your kindness and we take this occasion to do the same. May God continue to bless and keep you!

THE OAKS NURSING HOME (Marshallville, Georgia): We thank you for your kind and supportive caregivers under the leadership of Mr. W. J. Windham. Your competence and humanity created a safe and hospitable home for our beloved Auntie and friend.

CHURCH MEMBER AND FRIENDS: Words cannot describe how much your love and condolences expressed in prayer, kind words and deeds, have eased the pain of our loss. Thank you for celebrating this well-lived life.

mortuary arrangements and services entrusted to “Middle Georgia’s TRUE Trendsetters” HICKS & SONS MORTUARY, INC. 2233 anthony road | macon, georgia 31204 | 478-788-4300

marcs CHRISTOPHER

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