Mary Ward

Johnson

Mary Ward Johnson, a woman with a servant’s heart, peacefully departed this world on October 17, 2026. She departed her “own’ WAY - quietly, not disturbing the loved ones surrounding her, not being a bother to anyone, because that was how she was in “life”.

She was born on November 5, 1936, in Columbia SC, the third child of Henry C. Ward, Sr, and Doretha Levingston Ward. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and joined 31st Street Baptist Church. As a youngster, she was active in Sunday School and other youth activities. Later as an adult, she was a member of the Senior Choir. Once her “season” with the choir ended, over the years she served faithfully with the Tape Ministry, Newscope, Isabelle Pettus Memorial Usher Board, and Vacation Bible School, receiving awards for her dedicated service as Administrator and where she served as Vice Principal during the 2000 session. In May 2001, she was honored as the “Mother of the Year”. On April 20, 2008, she was installed as a Deaconess at 31st Street Baptist Church. In later years, she joined the church’s Progressive League. She showed her Christian spirit by volunteering to help those less fortunate within both the 31st Street Baptist Church and later at Faith Community Baptist Church. This ministry provided much needed food and clothing to the homeless and others in need. Her work with “Faith” continued until her illness took over.

Mary actively worked with the Girl Scouts, serving as a Girl Scout Leader at her church for over 50 years, working diligently to instill moral and ethical values in the girls which she felt would ultimately help them build confidence, character growth, and enhance their self-esteem. Her involvement with the Girl Scouts extended beyond the church. She worked on the “Neighborhood” level as an East End Girl Scout Leader, the East End Neighborhood Girl Scout Cookie Chairman, the East End Camp Coordinator and Treasurer for the East End Neighborhood. She will be greatly missed by this organization, where she dedicated so much of her time for the “girls”.

Mary attended the Richmond Public Schools graduating from Armstrong High School in 1954. Her desire to help others led her to the medical field and enrollment in the Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University) School of Nursing, graduating from the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program in 1960, beginning her career at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Hospital. In 1968, she was promoted to an Orthopedic Technician in casting splinting and traction. While working at MCV/VCU, she had opportunities to share her knowledge and expertise by teaching classes, and participated in workshop presentations relating to her specialty, in the greater Richmond VA area. Mary had been a nurse by trade, but her “service” did not end on the job. Over the years, she provided nursing services to many, devoting time and energy caring for the sick, caring for wounds, providing transportation, and purchasing and delivering medical supplies to those in need.

In 1964, Mary married Cyrus S. Johnson. Together, they raised one daughter, Juliet “Denise,” a former active Girl Scout like her mom, who blessed them with two grandchildren, Paris and

Justin, both active in scouting like their grandmother and two great-grandchildren, Cheniya and Bella. A future new relationship blessed them with more grandchildren and great-grandchildren when Kendra, Ethan, Brandon, Ezekiel, Zachary and Mila joined the family.

With all of her activities both in church and the Girl Scouts, Mary still found the time and energy to be socially active. She was a past member of the Orthopedic Technologists, a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 79, and an active member of her local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Cyrus Johnson, brother Henry Ward, Jr., and sister, Carolyn W. Harris. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Juliet “Denise” Morales (Dago); grandchildren, Paris Nichols (Byron), Justin Murchison, Kendra Gonzalez (Chris), Ethan Morales, Brandon Morales; great-grandchildren, Cheniya Fuller, Bella Nichols, Ezekiel Morales, Zachary Gonzalez, and Mila Gonzalez; two siblings Gwendolyn Rutley and Eddie Ward, Sr. (Ruby); devoted sister-in-law, Dale Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and a host of friends, three of whom were very close to her, Charlotte Crewe, Jackie Johnson, and Margie Jones.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where viewing will be held Thursday, November 5 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 6 at Thirty First Street Baptist Church, 823 N 31st Street. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society or by phone at 1-800-227-2345.