Willie Mae Johnson

Willie Mae Johnson, affectionately known as Willie and Mrs. “J,” of Aberdeen, Maryland, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 26, 2025. She was born on September 16th, 1933, in Hobbsville, North Carolina, to the late Willie Green and Mary (Walton) Green. At an early age, Willie accepted Christ as her personal savior at Blanchard Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Hobbsville, NC. Willie was the beloved wife of the late SGT William R. Johnson of the 82 Airborne Division of the US Army. Widowed at the early age of 36, she spent a lifetime of providing love, faith, and devotion to their family and others.

Willie dedicated 27 years of her life to caring for others as a Nurse and later as a Medical Technician at Kirk Army Hospital and the Edgewood Health Clinic. At work she was known for her compassion, professionalism, and gentle spirit.

Willie lived a full and vibrant life. She surrounded herself with a community of friends and family. There are three women she considered sisters, who all navigated more than 50 years of life together through love, laughter, and resilience. They are the late Carolyn Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri, Shirley Williams, of Edgewood, Maryland, and Mildred Martin of Aberdeen Maryland. Willie loved them immeasurably.

Willie was an avid reader, having read over 500 books, who especially loved the authors James Patterson, Sandra Brown, and Danielle Steele. She enjoyed discussing what she read with her daughter Karen, affectionately known as Baie, and her granddaughter Mariah. Willie also enjoyed cooking and baking—her fried chicken, baked ham and Thanksgiving turkey with oyster dressing were family favorites. Her carrot cake was famous amongst family and friends. She loved nurturing her plants and spending quiet afternoons watching her favorite soap operas, The Bold and the Beautiful, Young and the Restless, and Beyond the Gates. On the weekends, her viewing pleasure was the Lifetime Movie Network.

Willie was devoted to and LOVED her 3 children. Together it was “Mama Bear” and her tribe. She prioritized raising them with strength and a loving heart to prepare them to thrive without her. Willie was known for her quiet strength, her classy style, and her love for dressing up and wearing makeup. A devoted Baltimore Ravens fan, she brought warmth, wisdom, and grace to every moment she shared with those around her.

Willie is survived by her loving children: William R. Johnson, Karen Johnson, and Mary Park, beloved son-in-law Darren Park, cherished grandchildren Olivia Johnson, Mariah Park, and Mason Park; adored great-grandchildren Owen Johnson and Omir Johnson; and cherished cousins Donnelle Stokely of Elizabeth City, NC, Francis Jordan of Elizabeth City, NC, and Alice Holly of Gates, NC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shock Trauma at the University of Maryland.