January 14, 1935 December 7, 2024
Mary Elizabeth Rushing Johnson, 89, of Joaquin, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Beaumont, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., December 15, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Mary Elizabeth Rushing Johnson, born January 14,1935, reached her Heavenly Home. She is having a reunion in Heaven with all her family and friends who preceded her in death, and she is excited to meet her Savior face to face.
Mary was a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a basketball coach, an ACBL Gold Life Master Bridge player (gaining many points while playing with partners in Beaumont, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana) and a master of everything she tackled. The second child of Edgar Randolph Rushing and Leo Naomi Rushing, she was blessed to grow up in Joaquin, Texas. She graduated from Joaquin High School in 1952, and she attended and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University (SFA), receiving a B.S. Degree in Education in 1955. Mary went back and obtained her Masters Degree at SFA in 1967.
While in college, she was a Pine Burr (Chi Omega), a cheerleader, and active in several clubs and intramural sports. She enjoyed her college days at SFA where she obtained more than just an excellent education, she also formed many lifelong friendships. She was married to Maj. Taylor Douglas Johnson who was killed in Vietnam in 1965. She loved her three children, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and their families more than anything. She taught elementary and secondary students at public and private schools in Texas and Louisiana. Over her 89-plus years of life, she enjoyed playing all types of games and competitions, and she enjoyed cruising the high seas and flying to far away destinations. She has taken her final cruise and reached her final destination Heaven where she is filled with joy and love.
She is survived by her children; Suzanne Baggett, and significant-other, Gary Beckett, of Shreveport, Louisiana, Taylor David Johnson and spouse, Lynette Johnson, of Cary, North Carolina, and Leanne Johnson, of Beaumont, Texas; grandchildren, Samantha Baggett Brantley of Bossier City, Louisiana, James Ryan Johnson and spouse, Letitia Johnson, of Illinois, Christy Johnson Baclawski, and spouse, James Baclawski, of Darien, Conn., Allie Johnson, and spouse, Matt Kirkland, of Denver, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Trenton Brantley, Kylea Brantley, Jordan Baggett, Ethan Baggett, EverLea Johnson, Maverick Johnson, and Taylor Baclawski; nieces, Gari Lynn Martin and Mary Foisy; great-nieces, Jennifer Martin Crain and Ashley Olds; great-nephews, Jeffery Martin and Brian Olds; many cousins, including, but not limited to, Fran Harris-Weimer, Cindy Garrity, Harry and Lajaunda Gebauer Williams, Sue Williams, Angela Williams Scrimpshire, and Jerry Willams, Jr.; and numerous friends.
Online condolences and tributes can be sent to www. watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com