Mrs. Mary B. Johnson, age 95, was born April 15, 1922 in Adgateville, Georgia to the late Evan and Josie (Braswell) Bell. She went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 following a brief illness.

She was a longtime resident of Akron and was a faithful member of Ernest Angley’s Grace Cathedral for over 57 years.

She was married to the late Anthey Smith and to this union was born three children, Johnnie Lee, Shirley and Eva. In 1974, she married the late Alfred Johnson.

Mary loved babies and was responsible for the loving and nurturing care of many children for her family and friends. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, canning and cooking. She was an excellent cook and was known for her delicious pound cakes, caramel cakes, sweet potato pies, and homemade jelly. She loved company and would always make sure that no one left her home hungry. As a dedicated member of Grace Cathedral, she served as a Van Captain for many years and made bracelets, donated toys, and books for Africa.

Mary had a kind word and smile for everyone she met. She never met a stranger and would address everyone lovingly as “Dear Heart.” She was a wonderful woman of God, one of God’s mightiest prayer warriors. She always encouraged her family members to accept God as their personal savior so that they would be ready for the rapture. Mary loved and enjoyed spending time with her family and her family loved spending time with her. Mary was the life of the party and will be dearly missed. As much as her family would love for her to be here at this celebration of her life, Mary received the best invitation of all to join her heavenly father and quietly slipped away to be with God.

Mary was preceded in death by husbands, Anthey Smith and Alfred Johnson; son, Johnnie Smith; and 15 brothers and sisters. She leaves to cherish her loving memory: daughters, Shirley Parnell and Eva Smith; grandchildren, Johnnie Smith, Jr., Marprisa (Marcus) Mariner, Robert (Janice) Parnell, Jr., Marchele Parnell Sneed and Victoria Lopp; great-grandchildren, Marquis Parnell, Markayla & Marissa Mariner, and Sierra & Sydney Sneed; sister, Shirley (Melvin) Shipp of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law, Leona Couch; many nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.