Mary Elizabeth Bearden Johnson

Published 8:05 pm Thursday, July 16, 2015

Mary Elizabeth Bearden Johnson, also known as “Mishie,” a resident of Montgomery, for over 40 years, died peacefully on July 14, 2015.
She is survived by her five children, Patricia Johnson of Montevallo, Dr. James Johnson of Montgomery, Paige Johnson Hodo of Selma, Marcus Johnson of Memphis and Michelle Johnson Bush of Wetumpka. She is also grandmother to Kendal Johnson; Dr. Allen Johnson; Adam Johnson; her predeceased namesake Elizabeth Johnson; Matthew Bush; Nolan Bush; Marcus Johnson; and Annie Johnson. She is great-grandmother to Savannah Swarzer; James Johnson IV; and Joseph Johnson, all of whom fondly knew her as “Nanny”. She is also survived by two sons-in-law Dr. David Hodo and Mike Bush, as well as six nieces, many cousins, and a multitude of friends. Mishie Johnson was born on January 16, 1932, in Maplesville to the Rev. and Mrs. Joseph R. Bearden.
She is predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.
Mishie attended Maplesville High School and graduated from Troy University-Montgomery with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She had a long career in government and education and was an active member of Heritage Baptist Church in Montgomery. She was also a consummate gardener and lover of nature. While we each remember her loving heart, creative spirit and generous soul, she would want us to keep in mind one of her favorite passages from the Bible, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck that which is planted;…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Graveside services will be held at the Maplesville Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015, with Martin Funeral Home of Clanton directing.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Allen Johnson, Adam Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Matthew Bush and Nolan Bush. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Johnson and Marcus Johnson.