Marion Grace Thomas “Mema” Johnson, 87, of Spindale, died Friday, April 4, 2014 at her home. A native of Rutherford County she was the daughter of the late Charles and Clara Thompson Thomas and the widow of Worth William Johnson, her husband for 60 years.
She was a retired beautician and a member of Spindale United Methodist Church where she served in many areas during her life, her favorites being providing snacks for the youth when her grandchildren were younger and then visiting shut-ins with her good friend Joan Smith. She also enjoyed preparing the advent wreath for Christmas, preparing soup for the bazaar, and decorating her church for the Advent season. She spent many summers with her grandchildren enjoying life at the beach and playing and laughing at Mema and Poppy’s house. She loved baking cookies and making lemonade for the grandchildren to have a lemonade stand each summer.
She is survived by one son, Bill Johnson and wife Myra of Spindale; one daughter, Leslie Johnson McBrayer and husband Pat of Newtown, PA; was “Mema” to four grandchildren: Carson McBrayer McGarrity and husband Matt of Bexley OH, Ryan Bridges Johnson of Mauldin, SC; Patrick Johnson McBrayer and wife Angela of Cinnaminson, NJ; Whitney Johnson Abrams and husband Holden of New Bern, NC and five great grandchildren– Charlea Grace Abrams, Harper Grace McGarrity, William Patrick “Liam” McBrayer, Lyza Jo Vassey Abrams, and Hudson Leigh McGarrity. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Ed and Earl Thomas, and sisters Marie Greene and Evelyn Griffin. She is also survived by one sister, Frances McMahan and husband John of Spindale; brother-in-law Bud Griffin of Griffin Georgia, sister-in-law Diane Johnson Sanford and husband Ken, brother-in-law, Raymond Johnson of Decatur, Ga., many nieces and nephews and her faithful canine companion, Smokey. The family would like to thank caregivers Linda Craft, Sandy Craft Henson and daughter Alexis, Davina Craft Shade, Deb Haulk and April Wolfenbarger for their faithful service to Mema.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 7, 2014 at Spindale United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bruce Jones officiating. Entombment will follow the service at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336 Forest City NC 28043, in appreciation of the caring support and assistance provided or Spindale United Methodist Church.