Myrtice James Johnson-Olenick

COLUMBIA, SC - A funeral/memorial service for Myrtice Johnson-Olenick, 96, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024, Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The service will be conducted by Dr. Robert G. Winburn. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the reception hall at Dunbar Funeral Home.

Mrs. Johnson-Olenick died Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was a resident of the Presbyterian Community of Lexington. Her birthplace was Darlington, South Carolina, on September 12, 1927. Her father and mother were Lewie Edward James and Olivia Watts James. She was the last surviving child of her family pre-deceased by her five siblings Jeanette, Valerie, Grace, Lewie E., and Ludrick.

In addition, she was pre-deceased by her first husband of over 50 years the late Felton Smith Johnson and the late Michael Olenick. She was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Johnson. A loving mother, she is survived by her sons Marion Johnson (Patti), Tommy Johnson (Martha), Danny Johnson (Nancy), and her step-son, William Olenick (Mildred).

She was the proud grandmother to Tommy Johnson, Jr (Hope), Sarah J. Hartung (Andy), Jonathan Johnson (Susan), Justin Johnson, Christina Olenick, and Rebecca Olenick. She was very proud of her great-grandchildren Thomas Johnson, Buckley Johnson, Joe Hartung (Allison), Libby Hartung, and Gabrielle Johnson.

Myrtice was an accomplished business woman. She began as a store clerk at Pages Uniform Center and ultimately became the owner-operator with a store on Main Street in Columbia. During her ownership, she expanded her lines of business and successfully competed in retail. She was always a hard worker who possessed a keen eye for marketing and provided consistent customer service.

She was a lifelong Baptist and attended Spring Valley Baptist Church where she enjoyed Sunday School and other church activities. A devout Christian, she lived her life in a manner reflecting her strong beliefs. An extrovert, she never met a stranger and treated everyone equally with great respect.

The family wishes to thank the care givers at The Presbyterian Home and Abbey Road Hospice for their sincere professional care.

Memorials may be made to Spring Valley Baptist Church, 91 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223.