Mary Millett Johnson

mary johnson

June 30, 1924 ~ January 14, 2024

Born in: San Marcos, TX
Resided in: New Braunfels, TX

Mary M. Johnson was born in San Marcos, Texas on June 30, 1924 and was the tenth born of eleven children to the late Horace and Blanche Millett. She was raised in York Creek in San Marcos and at an early age attended school in San Marcos. The family later relocated to New Braunfels, TX. Mary received Christ at an early age. Mary worked a number of jobs before deciding to become a certified massage therapist for 50 years, owning her own business.

She met and united in marriage with Lee Johnson in the early 1950’s. During this marriage she became the owner of “Mary’s Reducing Salon” in New Braunfels with her husband in 1957. Mary was the first African American woman to open a business in New Braunfels and she had a wide variety of customers ranging from local physicians and multiple residents of the surrounding communities. She complimented her business responsibilities along with community commitment and maintained this successful business until her retirement in 2007.
She was the recipient of the MLK Achievement Award in 2019. Mary was a member of the Grand Court Order of Calanthe of Texas, which was one of the largest, oldest and most successful woman-run-fraternal insurance organizations, led and controlled by African American women providing business and professional training, employment and leadership for women.
She was also involved in a small group of diverse influential women called “The Circle of Friends.” This group met monthly to prepare and share meals, visit with the sick and the elderly while providing meaningful social interaction with members of the community. It was based on the establishment of friendships between people of the community.
The guiding force in Mary’s life was her involvement with her local church-the Church of Christ. Through her membership with the church she would do various missionary trips to Jamaica and Mexico. Mary became involved in community outreach which she continued to do up until her illness.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Blanche and Horace; brothers, Waymon, Eddie, Willie Ray and Jeff; sisters, Elsie, Josie, Lula Mae and Kathryn; grandson, Rodney J. Bellinger.
Mary leaves to cherish in her memory: son, Larry Bellinger (Melba) of Dallas, TX; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Chris Anthony (Alicia) and Steven Stanton of Dallas, TX; surviving sister, Ethel Ellison of San Francisco, California, along with nieces, nephews, additional relatives and a host of friends.

Services

Visitation: Friday, January 19, 2024 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Room: Chapel

Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1254 Business 35 N.
New Braunfels, TX 78130

830.624.0500
https://www.luxfhcares.com/

Service: Saturday, January 20, 2024 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

New Braunfels Church of Christ
1665 IH Business 35 South
New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-624-0500

Graveside: Saturday, January 20, 2024 1:30 pm

Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park
2951 TX-46
New Braunfels, TX 78130

830.609.4906

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I am glad to have met Mrs. Mary. Her kindness and grace showed in her face and beautiful smile. No words can relieve the family’s pain of losing her. If it could I would share them with you. Larry just know she is with Roderick in the presence of our Lord where we will all join as a family again someday. 💖🙏
    Katie Stoker

  2. So many wonderful memories of Mary over the years to mind, from Bible class, to game nights, to ladies’ retreats, to, working in her flooded home, to her fishing with my Dad. The one that is etched forever on my memory is at a ladies retreat in the hill country. After an evening of good food, fellowship, games and laughter, I got ready for bed. I walked out onto the screened in porch lined with beds on which a number of us chose to spend the night to go to bed. There was Mary, hair in curlers on her knees on that concrete floor between our beds, hands folded, deep in prayer to God. She impacted my life in many ways as I know she did countless others’, but this poignant moment says it all about who Mary was. Her life passion was shining her light and sharing Jesus with every person she came into contact with.

  3. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Ms. Mary Johnson, but I know her son Larry Bellinger and his beautiful wife, Melba. Bro. Larry is a kind and friendly brother in Christ and I believe he learned much of that from his mother, just by the way he talks about her. May God bless and keep this family during this difficult time. We are praying for you.
    Elvin & Jerline Bell and family

  4. We have loved Sister Mary from the first time she came to worship with us at Comal church of Christ.❤️ She had a beautiful smile and a heart of gold. 💛 Every time her son Larry would drive down from Dallas and bring her to service, when they came through the doors everyone’s eyes would sparkle and their hearts would swell with joy at her presence to worship with us. Many times she didn’t feel well but she came anyway and she said she always felt better after she left. Everyone loved Ms. Mary ❤️

  5. Mary was the kindest most genuine lady you would ever want to know. She helped so many without anyone ever knowing. My mom was struggling following the death of our dad, and Mary would walk over to mom at church and place those strong arms around and give her a hug….then she would slip a $20 bill in moms pocket. She did this many times, and the impact was something special. Thank you Mary for loving mom…I hope she greeted you at the heavenly door.

  6. God’s Blessings for His Loving Grace,
    Peace and Comfort to the Family
    Love and Prayers,
    The Ervin Family
    The Sutherland Family

  7. We are blessed to have met and know Ms. Mary when we moved to New Braunfels and became members of the New Braunfels Church of Christ. You will always be in our hearts. The Lord’s blessings and comfort for the family as Ms. Mary has received her reward!

  8. Prayers to the family of Mary Millett Johnson. Mary was a very out spoken person in the community with a big smile every time you see her. I would always love being around her because of her kindness and good attitude. She will certainly be missed by all who knew.
    God Bless her until we meet again.

  9. May comfort be multiplied, to all of the family & friends, who did life with our precious Mary Johnson!
    She was a dear friend of my mother, Sula Randel. My memories of her are fully the embodiment of God’s love and kindness toward us! It seemed she only sought to bless others.
    I am so grateful to have known her, in my childhood years and to have felt the true presence of Jesus, in her presence!
    I love you, sweet Mary! Savor the Savior throughout eternity!
    Sharon Randel Turner from Montana

  10. Eliza Millet Crayton family sends our deepest condolences to Mary’s family. I remember Mary when she would visit my Grandmother. May God provide comfort to family at this difficult time. We are sending love.

  11. To the many friends and family that Mary leaves behind…we are all much better because of the sweet life of Mary Johnson! I have precious memories of many hugs from Mary when I needed them the most. You lived the life, talked the talk and walked the walk all of your life. Rest now, sweet Mary.
    Amy Randel Cox from Colorado

  12. Mrs.Johnson was a lovely kind women, would bring a smile to everyone’s faces at New Braunfels Veterinary Clinic.I had the pleasure of knowing her for the passed 2 years working there. She was one of my favorite faces to greet when she came in for her Dog Josephine, that pup was her best friend!
    My heart was truly saddened when I heard of her passing. She will be greatly missed. Prayers to the Family.

  13. Condolences to Larry and family. Aunt Mary was such a beautiful person inside and out. She leaves a legacy of love. Wishing you and family strength and peace. With deep sympathy
    Clarence and Charlesetta Ball
    Mobile, Alabama

  14. We hold our memories close to our hearts. You lit up a room when you entered. We were all bound together through our love for God. You set an example to all of us on your unshakeable faith. We also were connected through your love of fishing, gardening and raising and eating real food, the healthy kind. You were a servant to anyone in need, your home was welcomed to all. I personally will miss our every Thursday date with sister Annie Wright. Yes we came to tidy things up, cook a meal, eat together, pray together and even sing. But we left better than we came expressing our joy of the time we had spent. I would not take anything for what you gave us. We are separated for a time but I know we will be gathered together once again…Until we meet again as the good song goes. We love you and miss you so much. We are comforted knowing you are in the eternal home with our God and Savior.

  15. The Virtuous Women (Proverbs 31) – When we read this very familiar passage about this special woman, it paints a picture of the woman we came to know as Mary Johnson. How incredibly blessed we have been to have had her as a part of our lives. When you first meet someone, you never know the exact impact that person will have on your life. When I first met Mary, when she and a group of other ladies joined our congregation, I could have never dreamed that she would become as important to me as she did. Here mere presence was an inspiration. As a song leader, I loved having her in the audience because you could see that she was someone who truly sang from her heart. She helped make songs come to life. As a person asked to lead a prayer, you couldn’t help but be spurred on in your praying because you knew she was praying right along with you. My absolute favorite thing, though, was teaching a Bible class with her in the audience. Whether she was throwing in an “amen”, or a “that’s right”, or making a full comment, or just sitting there and nodding her head, she helped to push the study to an even greater depth than might have been in the original plan, and she was never shy about giving out a compliment, and maybe even a little critique here and there along the way about how she felt the class went. I have been so blessed to have many of those experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my days. I got the chance to see Mary just a little over a week before she passed. While visiting with her, we were told that Mary was going home in two days, and I overheard one of the nurses going over the plans with Mary’s son for what Mary would need once she was back at her house. Little did we know that one week later she would make the real trip home…to the real home…to the home she spoke of so often and so longingly. She often said that if the Lord determined that it was her time that she was ready to go, and now she has made that journey. Thank you, Mary, for all that you have brought to all of us. Please know that your legacy lives on in our memories. You lived out Matthew 5:16 by letting God’s light shine through you in such a way that people saw your good works, and through them, glorified your Father in Heaven. We are better people for having had you in our lives. I love you so very much!

  16. I only got to meet you at Christmas with Annie Wright.
    We shared a few stories and she sang jingle bells.
    We prayed with her and we left with a joyous heart as she uplifted our spirits
    I will miss you her on earth but will see you again in heaven!!
    Rest in the arms of Jesus
    Karen K Diver

  17. Mary was an outstanding lady.
    She had so much love for everyone she knew. She love to tell stories of her life growing up and had such admiration for all of her Christian family. She enjoyed food…..taco bell tacos and especially Gwen’s home cooked “fried fish, okra, and (Wow those hush puppies”) Mary was glowing with pleasure!
    I Miss her Love for Our Lord
    her smiles…she will always have a special place in my heart.

  18. I was sad to hear Mrs. Mary’s passing. It’s been years, but like most who wrote…an unforgettable person; big spirit, big heart, joyous, and such a beautiful woman! It’s been a season of passings I’m experiencing right now and my heart is heavy for those that are gone; but joyous knowing that they are absent from the body and present with the Lord! That gives me peace and joy; and one day I will see them again. My deepest condolences to the family lifting you up in prayer that the Lord will wrap you in the comfort that only He can give. In Jesus‘s name Amen 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
    Cynthia Wilson Navarrete,
    Dallas, Texas.

  19. May God comfort and strengthen you during this time of bereavement.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

  20. Rest easy cousin Mary, you are now in Heavenly Paradise and in the palm of God’s hands for you have always been one of God’s most faithful servants. My condolences to the family, praying for you to have peace and comfort in this difficult time. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼 Big Hug!
    Sandra Mulkey

  21. We extend our sincere heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Your mother no doubt lived a beautiful blessed life being 99. Know that you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers and that our Heavenly Father will give you comfort today and in the days ahead. God Bless — We Love you. –the Beals

  22. Larry, your mother was extraordinary because of her many accomplishments. Our prayers are with you and your family.

  23. Con Mary, always seeked God first. My sister and I had many memories of her and Aunt Blanche in church and stopping by the house when church was let out. Con Mary cut them eyes one Sunday in church in knew could never do that again in church. Along the way you knew why. Her faith and knowing the Bible. She spoke faithful, showed her true beauty to everyone she came in contact with , she was very humble person and served the Lord faithful. She was praise Worthy I can go on and on how she was. Con Mary was just like Sister Davis in church. I will always keep her dear to my heart.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle