Mary Morris Johnson

Mary Elizabeth Morris-Johnson was born in Jackson, Tennessee on May 18, 1962. She was the daughter of Nancy and William Morris, and the younger sibling of Robert Morris. She grew up in Jackson and graduated from Franklin Road Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary then went on to study at The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss, and transferred to University of Tampa where she studied English Language, Psychology, and Business.

From 1993 to 1996, Mary began teaching English at East Junior High in West Memphis, Arkansas, where she was also a cheer coach. She moved back to Washington, D.C. in 1996 where she was a beloved teacher for close to 30 years. Mary served as a department chair and track coach at Bladensburg High School in Bladensburg, Maryland. She got her Master of Arts in English Education at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. At Eleanor Roosevelt High School is where Mary gained the nickname “Mojo” from her students, and where she ended her teaching career as she taught Honors English for 10th & 12th grade for 21 years.

Mary will be remembered as a fiercely loving teacher, friend, sister, and mother. She had a passion for the arts, which is left behind in the dreams of her daughter. Mary’s paintings as an artist will keep her spirit alive.

Mary was proceeded in death by her father, William “Daddy Bill" Morris, and her mother, Nancy Morris, and an older brother, John Harrell Morris. Mary is survived by her only child, her daughter, Sophia Elizabeth Johnson, New York City; her brother, Robert Morris and his wife, Karen Morris, Memphis, Tennessee; her nephew and his wife, Keaton and Jenny Morris, Memphis, Tennessee; her niece, Rachel Morris, Memphis, Tennessee; and a great nephew, Jack Wade Morris, Memphis, Tennessee. As well as a host of many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a memorial mass on Saturday, December 13 at 11:00am, at Saint Monica & Saint James Episcopal Church, 222 8th St NE, Washington, D.C., 20002. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.