A year has passed…so quickly.  I miss your voice… I still reach to pick up the phone and call you, then I remember.  I miss you mama.

A year has passed mom.  I miss you so much.  Life is just not the same without seeing you regularly.  I hope you’re playing your beautiful music for the angels, and that daddy is singing along.   I think of you every day.

Cindy and family,
We  were sorry to hear of the loss of Marilyn. We feel the loss as well. The day we joined Centenary in 1975, we were a young couple in our second year of marriage. Marilyn finished playing the postlude and came to welcome us and invite us to sing in the choir. I joined the choir soon after that and loved singing under her direction . I was amazed by her musical abilities and ability to make our choir sound great even when we messed up. We always LOVED the Christmas Carol Candlelight Service every year. She directed the full choir, several ensembles, bell choir, children’s choir all in one night moving , playing and directing all over the church with such a flow that it seemed that the music never stopped. People made sure to get there early because it was always a full house. I was excited to sing with her again when she returned for a short time after retiring.  We will always remember her talent, the beautiful music she brought to Centenary and the community and also how she welcomed us into the Centenary family as we were just beginning our life together! 
Love, Si and Vanita Seymour

Susan and I send our sincerest condolences to Marilyn’s family. We so appreciate and remember Marilyn for the positive contributions she made to myself and other young musicians in New Bern during our high school years in the mid 1970’s. Looking back, I recall how she mentored and encouraged young musicians. Several band students and I formed a brass quartet and Marilyn gave us the opportunity to perform at various venues including the big New Bern bicentennial celebration in 1975, several community church services and a civic musical. One of those was a huge St. Cecilia Music Club concert at Centenary that Marilyn directed. The concert featured many of my high school musical friends where we performed in various instrumental, chorus, handbell, and piano combinations. The St. Cecilia Music Club represented fifteen Christian churches and their directors whose purpose was to bring good music to the area.  She was also the organist for our wedding! Besides being an exceptional musician, she demonstrated leadership for her church and community and will be remembered fondly.

David and Susan Briley

To all of Marilyn's family...
Denise and I send our thoughts and prayers at the loss of your mom. When we were in New Bern at Centenary Church it was my privilege to work with Marilyn, playing piano/organ duets, picking her brain for gems of wisdom, and generally making music with her as well as your beloved dad. Since leaving New Bern, I would phone her about every 3 or 4 months to make sure she was okay and to catch up on the news of herself, you the family, and Centenary.

Please know that knowing both your mom and your dad was a rare gift for both Denise and myself. 

All our love and support to each of you.
Alan Whitmore [former Music Director - CUMC] and Denise Soulodre

Marilyn was the most amazing musician serving Centenary , Garber, Christ Episcopal and any other church needing her gifts. 
She gladly helped at Centenary even after her retirement. 
She was a member and great supporter  of the Organ Study Committee of Centenary UMC helping realize the installation of a new organ in 2004. 
Creating St. Cecilia Music Club and the first MESSIAH  
presentation as conductor of THE NEW BERN ORATORIO CHORUS , serving as soloist as well. (1974)
Marilyn had a gift for gathering the talent around her for producing wonderful music. 
One could always feel comfortable as she accompanied you in your solos - she just had that gift . 
So many wonderful memories from this community and grief of losing her.
Keep them singing in Heaven , Marilyn . 
Love to her family, 
Janet and Dallas Sutton , Brad and Angela

OBITUARY

Marilyn H. Johnson

22 October, 1929 – 30 July, 2024

Cotten Funeral Home

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