Martha Johnson went to be with her Lord on June 16 with her family filling the room. Together, they spent her final days surrounding her with love, knowing that her greatest wish was to be with family.
Martha was pre-deceased by her husband of 64 years, Karl, just 5 months ago. She is survived by her sister, Sandra Coker, and her 4 children, Timothy Karl Johnson (Trishel), Linda Johnson Smith (Deke), Alice Johnson Searcy (Don), and Steven Russell Johnson (Lynn Tetenbaum). Martha was Granny to 14 grandchildren, Nancy Kristina Lambert, Rebecca Johnson Keen (Andrew), Steven Searcy (Kaitlin), Lillian Juttukonda (Meher), Laura Patterson (Michael), Karl Smith (Zhenzhen Shi), Susanna Johnson-Chelaru (Florin), Karl Isaac Johnson (Christen), Philip Searcy (Maddie), Kate Smith (Grant Andersen), Mary Grace Johnson (Keeheon Nam), Clara Cowan (Blayne), Bonnie Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, and 17 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Elijah and Lilly Lambert; William, Isaac, and Noah Patterson; Edmund, Peter, Arthur, and Judah Searcy; Linus, Cecilia and Felicity Johnson; Ludmila Cowan; Annie Searcy; Theofil Johnson-Chelaru; and Thomas Juttukonda.
Martha was born in Atlanta, GA and graduated from O’Keefe High School. Following high school, Martha began working at Southern Bell as a secretary where she met a young engineer named Karl. Three months later, they were married on December 31, 1959.
She was an active member for 51 years at Oakmont Presbyterian Church in Hoover. Along with Karl, she served for many years at the Sunday Club for mentally ill adults at South Highland Church where her specialty was baking a birthday cake each month for the folks gathered there. Martha was a gifted cook who made sure no one was ever hungry and was always happy to provide a delicious and generous meal to anyone and everyone in her home. Martha was also a gifted gardener with a magic touch with plants. Her yard was always filled with a variety of color and texture that gave her great joy.
Martha had a kind heart and sweet spirit that drew others to her. She was beloved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as by so many other family members and friends. She made friends wherever she went, whether it was the grocery story, or at her recent home at Thrive.
Martha (Mama, Granny) was the very best and most nurturing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be celebrated with a memorial service on Saturday, June 22 at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Drake Avenue. Visitation will begin at 11, followed by a service at noon and burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Manna House (mymannahouse.com) or the charity of your choice.
