Mary Yvonne Johnson

Mary Yvonne Johnson was born March 4, 1943 in Georgia to Lon & Fran Thomas. She had the privilege of traveling the world since Lon Thomas served in the military. She married out of high school to our dad, Roger Schwanke and began her family. She ended her marital relationship with Roger Schwanke and remained single for many years while taking care of her three children.

Years later, the in the 80’s, she married James Johnson whom she met at her place of employment. They were inseparable; best friends, and they were devoted to one another. You rarely saw them apart. James Johnson graduated to Heaven August 2021. Before mom graduated in July 2024, she told several people that she saw Jim, her husband. The Lord had allowed her to see him. Mary Yvonne being able to see Jim gave her peace and comfort about her departing this earth and spending eternity with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Mary Yvonne loved to play cards. She was happy when someone was sitting with her and playing her favorite card game. She loved listening to scripture and reading her bible declarations. Jim and Mary, until their health declined in 2020, would go on daily excursions; get breakfast from Jack-In-The-Box, Taco Bell or McDonalds, drive to the water pond, eat their breakfast and watch the geese.

Mary Yvonne is survived by Mary Pleger, her oldest child; Deborah Powell, middle child; and Roger Schwanke, her youngest child. She was closest to her granddaughter Melissa Schwanke even though she loved all of her children and grandchildren. She has a surviving brother, Greg Thomas and a couple of nieces.

Mary Yvonne will be remembered by her tenacity and persistence. She had a compassionate heart for her family and for people.

We want to thank Ella and her staff from Paradise Life Care 2 who cared for Mary Yvonne from February 2023 through her final days at the residence of Paradise Life Care 2. Ella and her staff took very good care of our mom. We did not have to worry about the care she was receiving because of the love, attention, friendly and safe environment Ella and her staff provided mom. We also want to thank Sage hospice for caring for our mom in her final days; tending to her, making sure she was comfortable and complying with her wishes as her needs were being met.

Family and Friends are invited to the open viewing at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Road, Surprise, Arizona, from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024.

We thank you for all of your support and your prayers through the last days of mom being here on Earth. We are now celebrating her life as she is now with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and her best friend, James Johnson.