Nancy Mann Johnson

NANCY MANN JOHNSON – Nancy Mann Johnson, age 76, of Columbus, MS, left her earthly home to join her Lord on January 5, 2019, after a battle with Ovarian Cancer which began in January of 2016.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at 11:30 AM at First Baptist Church with Dr. Shawn Parker officiating.  The interment will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory, 2nd Ave. Location is in charge of arrangements.

Born March 10, 1942, in Charleston, SC, she moved to Columbus, MS, at an early age.  She attended Demonstration School and transferred to Stokes Beard School the year it opened and participated in the school dedication.  Nancy was a member of the Class of 1960 at S. D. Lee High School.  When her sons started to school, she enrolled at Mississippi University for Women and completed her B.S. and M.A. degrees in History.  She was a member of Soroptimist International and held all offices and served on the Board of Directors.  As a member of Soroptimist International of Columbus Nancy served on the steering committee that created House of Hope which became Recovery House and Safe Haven.  She was a former member of Red Wing Garden Club and served as President several times.  In 1978, Nancy served as President of Columbus Garden Club Council and was active in the beginning of a Christmas Tree display at the Columbus Lowndes Library and a city wide Christmas decorating contest.  She was also a member of the Galaxy Garden Club.  As a member of United Way she worked with allocations and was on the Executive Board and held various offices.  She co-chaired the Day to Care for several years and was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by United Way in 2002.  While a member of Peyton Study Club and Les Amies Study Club she served as President of both groups during her membership.  Johnson was an active member of the Lowndes County Republican Women and enjoyed working in many political campaigns.  Nancy treasured the fact that the LCRW did a book drive in her honor and placed 877 books in the Joe Cook Library.  She also was a member of the Lowndes County Republican Executive Board.

For many years, she worked with her husband at Johnson Carpet Center and then began a career in Real Estate which she continued until deciding to spend her time with her grandson, Matthew.  Prior to retirement she was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Military Affairs Committee.  Membership at First Baptist Church led to teaching various Sunday school groups, working in Vacation Bible School and with the Youth Drama Group.  Nancy was an avid Mississippi State Football fan and over the years enjoyed special friendships with many of the players.

The deceased was preceded in death by her parents German Earl Mann and Frances Graves Mann.  And her younger brother Paul David “Butch” Mann.  She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Tommy Glenn Johnson, Sr., son Tommy Johnson, II and daughter-in-law Kim Johnson, and son Louis Dale Johnson.  Also surviving her are sister Patsy Weeks (Jerry) of Ocoee, FL, and sister-in-law Donna Mann of Columbus.  She leaves behind her grandson, Matthew Johnson and wife Sunny and her great grandchildren Bryson Dale and Sawyer Kee.  Surviving her are also several “bonus” grandchildren and great grandchildren including Bruce Branch and wife Abby with their son Britton and Max Branch and wife Andrea and their children Kaylan, Addison, and Peyton.  Survivors also include her nephews Brian Mann and Selby Weeks and nieces Carrie Mann Dozier and Ashley Weeks Wheat.  She always looked at these nieces and nephews as grandchildren and treasure their children Anna, Isaac, Kylie, Abigail and twins Mackenzie and Madison.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. Ashley Wayne Harris, Wayne Harris, Stan Sims, Brian Mann, Selby Weeks, Jep Cole, and Jeff Abrams.

Honorary pallbearers will be Barbara and Robert Malone, member of the S. D. Lee High School Class of 1960, Les Amies Study Club, Lowndes County Republican Women, Dr. Ronald Alcarez of Vanderbilt Hospital, Dr. Warren Huh of UAB Hospital, and Kerry Ellis DiTullo of UAB Hospital.

Nancy requested that only a single rose be placed on her coffin.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, would be appreciated.