GREENSBORO, N.C. — Margaret Johnson Laurent died peacefully Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, having enjoyed 88 years of a very full life. Margaret Maria Johnson was in New Iberia, La., to Erland Johnson and Katherine Bates Johnson.
She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Coteau, La., and attended LSU, where she met her future husband, Harold James Laurent. They were married in New Iberia on Oct. 8, 1952. She was an Army wife for several years, during which time her first two children were born.
She moved to Baltimore, Md., in 1955, after Harold’s discharge from the Army, where five more children were added to the family. Margaret loved children and began volunteering in the church, teaching Sunday school classes for young children. In 1971, Harold’s job took the family to Newport News, and Margaret continued her service to the church, starting a Children’s Liturgy of the Word program at her new church.
She devoted herself tirelessly to the refugee resettlement program after the end of the Vietnam War, bringing families into her own home while she secured housing for them and helped them get settled into the community. She and Harold recognized that one young refugee from Cambodia needed their help and brought her into their family and loved her as a daughter.
Margaret volunteered at Riverside Regional Convalescent Center, Newport News, for 30 years in pastoral care, visiting residents, praying with them, and playing taped music for the memory-care patients. She started a gift-giving program for residents with no family during the holidays, which blossomed to include hundreds of gifts for residents of several nursing homes, as well as social services and group homes in the area.
She worked as a substitute teacher in elementary schools for several years. As an avid seamstress, she sewed gowns for special events of family and friends. After her children were grown, she shared her love of sewing while working part time at the local Singer store. When Harold’s job took them to France for two years, they traveled extensively in Europe and Margaret was able to visit her father’s family in Sweden for the first time. These stories of selfless giving could go on and on, but suffice it to say, Margaret’s life defined the words “unconditional love,” and she shared that love with her family and friends, and most especially with her soulmate, Harold.
Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Harold; sister, Kate; children, Harold Jr., Carl (Jennie), Ray (Callie), Steve (Jeanne), Anne Shea (Steve), Richard (Francine) and Brian, and Sovanara Glass (Carl); as well as 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 16, with a memorial Mass officiated by Father Jim Curran honoring Margaret following at 11 a.m., at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Newport News, where she lived for 50 years before recently moving to Greensboro, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to AuthoraCare Collective in memory of Margaret or to a charity of your choice. Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Laurent family.
Share online condolences with the family at Weymouth Funeral Home.
