| Honored by: | Cynthia J. Officer |
| Brick location: | D:24 map |
March 16, 1912 - April 2, 1991
Mary Johnson was born on March 16, 1912 in Keokuk, Iowa, the only child of Emery and Della Johnson. She grew up in Keokuk and in 1930 graduated from Keokuk Public High School. She attended one year at the University of Illinois studying Home Economics. Mary then returned home because she developed arthritis. She spent quite a few years on crutches. Mary eventually got stronger and it was then that she started a catering service at a country club in Keokuk.
In 1932, Mary met Carl Majors. They married in 1936 and had one daughter, Cynthia. The couple then made their home in Canton, Missouri because that is where Carl lived and worked. Mary and her family returned to Keokuk after a flood ruined there home in Canton.
After Mary's husband, Carl, passed away in 1979, she decided to move to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and live with her daughter, Cindy. She became very active in many organizations, in fact she would travel to Des Moines every three months to represent Iowa at the Federal Council on Aging. Mary was also involved in the Waterloo Women's Club, Eastern Star, the Jessie Cosby Senior Center, Republican Women and she was a long time member of Payne AME Methodist Church, Waterloo.
In 1990, Mary moved to the Windsor Care Center where she enjoyed reading, watching television, being an active member in Resident Council and socializing with others, especially her daughter and three grandchildren.
Submitted on 1/20/95