Martha Wright Johnson

Martha Wright Johnson was born August 4, 1932 in Seattle, WA to Waldo and Marian Presba. She was the oldest of four children. She was raised in Tacoma, WA from the age of 2, graduating from Stadium High School. As a young child she enjoyed taking care of children, helping her grandma on their farm, and singing. Her parents started mission Sunday schools in rural areas of Tacoma where Martha was always singing with her dad. She was naturally talented and singing became her constant love. She sang in many choirs and for contests, fashion shows, special occasions, and at church.

After high school, she worked at Rhodes Department Store and took classes at College of Puget Sound. During this time she met the love of her life, Allen Johnson, at church and they were married on February 5, 1952 in Tacoma. Three weeks later, Allen reported to Arizona for army service and spent two years in South Korea. Together Allen and Martha raised five children who were all born in Tacoma. The family moved to Seattle for a brief period and then to Portland, OR in 1968.

Martha was busy raising her own children, and also volunteering time at church to lead Bible clubs for children. Music held a prominent place in Martha’s life as she sang at church, in choirs and with her daughters. As the family grew, Martha’s interests expanded to gardening, sewing, cooking, and floral arranging and she provided beautiful flowers for weddings, banquets, and other events. She was constantly sewing for her children, including bridesmaid dresses and wedding gowns. She loved gathering family and friends for delicious meals.

In 1973 Martha and Allen bought Hubbs Farm, a gourmet jam and jelly business and Martha excelled in running the day-to-day operations, managing staff, and using her creativity to sell the product both locally and internationally. She loved working with each of her children at the business.

Martha and Allen were married for 68 years. They lived in Tacoma, Arizona, Seattle, Moses Lake, Clarkston, Houston and raised their family in Portland. As their family grew, highlights included birthdays, graduations, concerts, sport events, holidays and church activities. They loved the family camping trips to Hood Canal.

Martha was a hard and diligent worker in all areas of her life, especially in her home and yard, serving her family and friends, and in prayer and Bible study. She was smart, curious and remembered everything, recipes, the news, and who borrowed what from her! Her life was characterized by beauty, joy and a deepening love for Jesus. She was encouraging and inspired us to trust God for everything.

Martha is survived by her brother David Presba, sister Mary Hester, her children Diane Johnson Snelling, Daniel Johnson, Rebecca Johnson Byrne, Karen Johnson Kuepper, 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Allen Johnson and their youngest daughter Annette Johnson, and grandson Hal Kuepper.

Martha died on June 10, 2024 and was welcomed home by her Savior, Jesus Christ who keeps her life.