Mary "Mimi" V. Isham Johnson

Mimi was born in Phoenix, Arizona on April 7, 1950, as the youngest child of Phillips and Mary Isham. She attended St. Gregory Catholic School as a youngster and graduated from Xavier College Preparatory High School in 1968.

Mimi married and had three children. She had many jobs throughout her life, but her most treasured job was as “Mom”, especially to her eldest child with Down Syndrome. They were two peas in a pod. While being a stay-at-home-mom, she happily babysat for neighborhood children and children of her friends. Most of those children, now grown, still say Mimi was like a second mom to them. She was also a Girl Scout troop leader for both daughters and volunteered at her local Catholic church for catechism classes. Ultimately, she retired from the Washington Elementary School District where she was a bus driver for young, special needs children, a job she loved.

Mimi was such a sweet soul. She was kind and friendly, but had some sass at times too. She loved unconditionally, was very trusting, and never met a stranger in her life. She was funny and loved to laugh. Those who knew her will never forget her giggle.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Carol Isham, her sister Judy Raulli, and brother Phillips Isham Jr.

Mimi is survived by her son, Robby Cropper, daughter Denise Birds (John), daughter Andrea Byers (John), grandchildren Daniel (Perla), Rylee, and Brayden, as well as great grandson Mateo, and a great granddaughter on the way.

Her children invite those who knew and loved her to join them in saying goodbye, sharing memories, and celebrating her life.

Visitation will be held at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, Arizona on April 27, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am, followed by a Funeral Service from 11:00am to 12:00pm and a Committal Service from 12:00pm to 12:30pm. A catered lunch will be served from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mimi’s memory to Special Olympics Arizona, 2455 North Citrus Road, Building 64 Goodyear, Arizona 85395 or online at specialolympicsarizona.org