Mary J. Johnson's Obituary
JOHNSON, Mary J., age 82, of Waynesville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Ohio Living Quaker Heights in Waynesville.
Mary was known for her cooking skills at the Friends Home in Waynesville, which was a boarding home at the time. After that, she dedicated more than 40 years to Quaker Heights Nursing Home, where she worked in the laundry services before retiring. She was a faithful member of Waynesville Community Church, where she remained actively involved for many years. She volunteered with Vacation Bible School, the church nursery, Sunday School, and community meals.
Mary was an easygoing, loving, and caring woman whose gentle spirit made everyone feel welcome. She was soft-spoken, had a contagious laugh, and found joy in caring for others. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she cherished the friendships she made through her church and community.
She enjoyed birdwatching, spending time outdoors, and sitting on the swing on her porch watching the world go by. She cared for her dogs and usually always had one. She was a talented crocheter and would create beautiful baby blankets and blankets for family and friends that have been passed down over the generations. She enjoyed going out to eat and shopping, and she regularly went to Kohl’s. In addition, she collected dolls, especially porcelain dolls and angel statues. Every spring, she took time to plant flowers around the house. Keeping photographs was another hobby of Mary’s. She cherished every memory and felt like a photograph captured those special moments. She was a faithful member of Weight Watchers. Every Tuesday night, she would go to weigh in, and after the meeting she would go to Burger King as her cheat night. She was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan. Once a year, she would go with her friends John and Ann to watch a game. Mary loved Ella de la Cruz’s hair and nicknamed him “Twig.” Cooking was another one of her specialties, and she was known for her broccoli salad, which she brought to all the church and homecoming events, pork chops, and homemade peanut butter fudge and cookies.
Family was at the center of Mary’s life. She looked forward to every holiday gathering, especially the 4th of July when the family would have a huge cookout. Any time she could get the family together was a cherished memory. Every summer, she would travel back home to Hinton and Sandstone, West Virginia, where she created many treasured memories with her family, and she loved spending time with those she loved most. She traveled several times to Shady Springs, where she would stay with her uncle. It became an annual tradition to take her grandchildren on a carriage ride during Christmas in the Village in Waynesville. Her greatest pride was her family, especially her son and grandson, whom she called her “little boy.”
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, in 2014; her parents, Elbert and Bessie Dick; and her sister-in-law, Barbara Dick. She is survived by her son, Marcus (Cassie) Johnson; her two grandchildren, Chloe Johnson and Deacon Johnson; her step-grandson, Garrett Wyatt; her great-grandson, Deaclyn; her two brothers, Thomas and Curtis Dick; and special friends, John (Anne) McKinley, Pam Coffman, and Wanda Vance.
Funeral services will be at 1 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Chaplain Claire Hochstetler will be officiating. Burial will be at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. The family will receive friends from 11 am until 1 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at https://www.stubbsconner.com.
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