Martha Ann Johnson

She grew up in Dyersburg and had a wonderful life there with her older brother, Arthur, Jr. and baby brother, Lynn, her mom and dad as well as close relatives and many friends. Martha learned early that life wasn’t easy. Her mother caught rheumatic fever and suffered heart damage. Martha had to take a year off school to care for her. Once a tornado swept through the area and took several lives. She never liked storms after that. Her father, who she deeply loved passed away in 1966. It was a loss she always remembered. But memories of Dyersburg, from her days working at Woolworth to trips to the movies with friends, was just as you could imagine in a small Southern town in those days. She loved her life.

That life changed dramatically when she was 16 years old. A young preacher visited her home church, First Assembly of God. Mom had grown up listening to the radio preacher, Charles E. Fuller, and often cried when she heard him preach. Her faith came early and sustained her throughout her life. The family was Methodist, but later joined the Assembly of God church. When she laid eyes on the young minister and he laid eyes on her from the piano, it was love at first sight. They were married by Pastor Earl Weech who was a model for Daniel and they maintained a lifetime friendship with him and his family. At 17 she and her young husband were married. They took the night train to Memphis and stayed at the Peabody Hotel. The adventure begins.

Young and full of faith Daniel and Martha set off on a life of ministering to others and sharing the Gospel through their lives. Daniel was the preacher, Martha was a homemaker who dearly loved and lived for God, for her lover, Daniel, and for her children.

The couple planted churches in Tennessee and Kansas and pastored in Spanaway, Washington, Pensacola, Florida, Peoria, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is no exaggeration to suggest thousands of lives were impacted by the timeless Message of Jesus through the southern hospitality and love of Martha. Her support and partnership with her husband made it possible for him to preach and write for decades and, in later years, travel the United States and speak in hundreds of churches. They were a power couple celebrating 70 years of marriage this July. She lived and died in faith and the assurance that we will be together again soon.

She is preceded in death by her father, mother and older brother, Arthur Edward Holt, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Daniel E. Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee, children Dianne Geabhart of Memphis, Tennessee (husband, Bob), daughter Cindy Volpe of Port St. Lucie, Florida (husband, Rob), son, Daniel E. Johnson, Jr. of Gig Harbor, Washington (wife, Natalie), and brother Orren Lynn Holt (wife, Jackie) of Derby Kansas. She is also survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who love her dearly.

A celebration of her life will be held at First Assembly of God church in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday, November 3rd at 2 PM. All are welcome.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Johnson family.