Marion Smith Johnson

Marion Smith Johnson, was born on June 12, 1935 in Statesboro, Georgia, and passed away on October 28, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 86. She was the daughter of the late Byron Lambert Smith and Marion Cooper Smith. When she was ten years old, the family moved to Savannah where Marion and her three sisters enjoyed an idyllic childhood, growing up in a beautiful home at 101 East 49th Street and graduating from Savannah High School. Marion graduated from Stephens College in Missouri, and from Webber College in Central Florida, where she was valedictorian of her class, earning a degree in Business. After graduation, Marion returned home to Savannah where she met her future husband, John William (Bill) Johnson, of Franklin, Virginia, and they married February 14, 1959.

Marion and Bill moved to Raleigh in 1965 when Bill joined the Department of Forestry at North Carolina State University where he received his doctorate. From 1970-1976, the Johnsons had a brief northern excursion to Syracuse, New York where Bill was on the faculty at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. While in Syracuse, Marion attended Syracuse University, pursuing a degree in Music Performance in Organ. Marion and her family returned to Raleigh in June 1976 when Bill rejoined the NCSU Forestry Department. Marion and Bill enjoyed a wonderful marriage until Bill unexpectedly passed away in 1979. Marion subsequently completed her degree in Music Education at Meredith College. She was an elementary school music teacher in the Wake County Public Schools for many years thereafter.

An active member of First Baptist Church in Raleigh, Marion served as a children’s choir teacher and adult choir member. Marion also loved to play the piano and to compose sacred choral music for both adult choir and the preschool choir. She shared her love of music and education patiently and generously with her children, grandchildren and countless others. Marion was a long-time elections volunteer, serving as a Precinct Official for her neighborhood, where she delighted in having many dear friends.

A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Marion was the foundation of her family, as we all depended upon her steadfast love, guidance and unshakeable commitment to our welfare. We will forever cherish her memory.

Marion was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John William Johnson, and sisters Seaborn Buchanan of Macon, Georgia and Rosemary Goldwire (Bill) of Yulee, Florida.

She is survived by her children Anne Johnson Brown (Walt) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Dr. Marion Cooper Johnson of Seattle, Washington; Caroline Johnson Tanner of Atlanta, Georgia; stepson John William McGee Johnson of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Marion Brown, Jane Brown, John Rolfe, Will Tanner, and Duncan Tanner. She is also survived by a sister, Suzanne Geier, of Melbourne, Florida as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral will be held on November 12, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603. A reception will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC, (919) 828-4311.