Margaret Marie Johnson of Lackey, Virginia, peacefully transitioned into “Eternal Rest” on Thursday, August 25, 2022. Her life began on May 3, 1933, daughter of the late Ebbie and Julia Gearld in Marion, South Carolina. “Coot,” as she was affectionately called by family and friends, accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age and was a member of Everbee Baptist Church. Later in life, she joined hands with Shining Light Church of Christ and frequently fellowshipped with Rising Sun Baptist Church.
On October 1, 1948, Margaret was joined in Holy Matrimony with Hardy Johnson. This union was blessed with fifty-three loving and wonderful years. She was employed and retired from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation after forty-two years of dedicated service. After retiring, she became her husband’s caregiver until his passing.
Margaret was a devoted mother and grandmother who absolutely loved the Reverend Al Green. She was also a straight shooter who enjoyed talking on the phone and loved puzzle books, quilting, talk shows, wrestling, and gardening. Coot had a distinctive green thumb and was extremely passionate about her plants, her favorite being the elephant plant. She enjoyed spending time with her family creating her made-with-love deserts and meals. She was very well known for her homemade cakes, with her specialty being Pound Cake and her famous one-of-a-kind mac and cheese. She will be sorely missed.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ebbie and Julia Gearld; brothers, Norwood, William, and James Gearld. She leaves to cherish her precious memories her beloved daughter, Linda Johnson; grandchildren, Terrence Sanders and Alysha Bland; great-granddaughter, Dream; great-grandson, Nazir; goddaughter, Melinda Abrams Johnson; nieces, Tina Gearld, Mary Evans (OC), Betsy Foster (Edward) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Anne Ruth of Summerville, South Carolina; nephews, Edward Swinton (Hau), Levence Swinton (Joyce) of Yorktown, Virginia, Robert Swinton of Newport News, Virginia, Ricky Swinton (Rosalyn), Randolph Swinton (Sheryl) of Denver, Colorado, Kenny Fladger (Mary Anne), Charles Brigman (Gerlene) of Marion, South Carolina, James Gearld (Kim) of Maryland, and Bobby Johnson (Alfreda) of Columbia, South Carolina; devoted nephew, James Johnson (Linda) of Charlotte, North Carolina; three devoted nieces, Loan Swinton of Yorktown, Virginia, Jeanese Ellerbe (James) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Jean Gearld of Anderson, South Carolina; along with a host of other loving relatives and caring friends.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, September 3, 2022, in Whiting’s Funeral Home. Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in Rising Sun Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson may be viewed from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service on Saturday in the funeral home.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
