Mary Ada Johnson

Mary Ada Johnson passed away into the arms of the Lord on May 4, 2023. Mary was born on December 20, 1933 in Dartford, Kent, England to the parents of Harold and Ada Stafford. Mary's life was an incredible journey full of much joy and love, especially when she was with her family and friends. She had so much love to share; she often volunteered to help troubled youth, battered women, and other individuals that needed a helping hand. After losing her youngest son Daniel in a tragic car accident at an early age, and later her husband Gordon, she devoted her remaining life spending time with her remaining two sons, their families, and her dear friends. Some of Mary's favorite things were taking holidays with her family, working in her garden, and enjoying a cup of tea with her two friends Anne and Beryl.

Up until the age of seven, Mary was your typical little girl until the start of World War II. She often shared stories about this period in her life, which included watching the Battle of Britain unfold in the skies above. She lived through a terrible period of destruction and loss of life, which ultimately melded her into a young strong woman.

Mary's grandfather was Harry Stafford, the first captain of Manchester United Football Club (MUFC). She was not aware of this fact until later in life when it was confirmed by MUFC and documented in several books.

Everything changed for Mary when she fell in love with a young Royal Navy sailor named Gordon Edward Johnson. They were married on November 2, 1957 and later had three children Mark, Matthew and Daniel. Through her husband's work Mary and her three children travelled the world on an adventure that took them from the Moors of Scotland and the Jungles of Indonesia, to the burgeoning City of Houston in 1977 where Mary and her family finally settled. Mary became a United States citizen in 1988.

Tragedy struck on December 6, 1987, when her husband and youngest son were involved in a fatal car accident in Comfort, Texas. Her youngest son Daniel did not survive and Gordon remained in intensive care for many months. Eventually her husband recovered; however, the loss of her son and the stress of the events had created a cancerous tumour close to Mary's heart. She was blessed to be treated by the famous heart surgeon Denton Cooley who successfully removed the cancerous tumour. Five years later, Mary became a Cancer Survivor who later provided hope and inspiration to many others that had been diagnosed with similar cancers.

Following Mary's recovery, she was ready to travel again, taking many trips with her husband across the USA and the Caribbean. They also made many trips to visit their two eldest sons. It was during this time that Mary was blessed with her first grandchild Matthew, soon to be followed by Taylor, Riley, Chesten and Kellany. Kellany was Mary's "one and only" granddaughter who shared a special bond with Mary that only was known between them both.

Following the death of Mary's husband Gordon on October 26, 2001, her life became devoted to that of her two sons, spending as much time as possible traveling back and forth, and taking family holidays that included trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii and far-away places such as Brazil.

Mary's journey inspired so many around the world, that she became known as "Queen Mary" due to her "proper" English accent and love for a cup of tea, which she never lost while living in America. Mary was always happy, always smiling, and most importantly was always there to help.

Mary was preceded in death by her youngest son, Daniel Duke Johnson, her husband Gordon Edward Johnson, and great grandson Raymond Allen Johnson. Mary is survived by her two sisters-in law; Kay Gabriel and Rita Welsh, her eldest son Mark Leonard Johnson and wife Mira Johnson, middle son Matthew Stephen Johnson and wife Roni Johnson, her five grandchildren; Matthew Gordon John Johnson and wife Stephanie Johnson, Taylor Stephen Johnson, Riley Daniel Johnson, Chesten Lucas Johnson, and Kellany Rose Johnson; and great-grandchildren Ava Lauren Johnson and Lucas Jase Johnson.

A memorial service will be on May 12, 2023 at 12.30 pm at Forest Park East, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas.