Longtime Portlander Mary Lois Johnson Dies at 75

Longtime Portland resident Mary Lois Johnson died on June 11 at the Washington Medical Center in Seattle. She was 75.

Lois was born March 1, 1936 in Montgomery, Ala. to Ollie Mae Moncrief and Alton Carter. She was one of three children, one of whom has preceded her in death.

At the age of 8, Lois moved with her family to Detroit, Mich. and lived there into her early adult life. She met and married John Henry Johnson of Longview, Texas and they were married on April 21, 1960. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Portland where she lived until March of this year, moving to Washington state to be closer to her children. Her husband preceded her in death on Dec. 4 1997.

She was a founding member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and held multiple positions there. Upon moving to Washington, she joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Bremerton.

Lois worked both inside and outside the home. She and John Henry raised a loving family of three boys and 1 girl. She was the first nurses aid at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. She also worked for Western Electric (which became Qwest Communications). She retired in 1993 after about 21 years on the job.

She is survived by her four children, Marvin and his wife Angela of Rio Rancho, NM; Rodney Kevin and his wife Gotha of Port Orchard, Wa.; Ollie and her husband Marcus Bedell of Silverdale, Wa.; John Allen of Portalnd; a brother, Melvin Moncrief and wife Jeanette of Smith Creek, Mich.; brother-in-law Alton Johnson and wife Christine of Portland; sister Doris Hyman of Chicago, Ill.; grandchildren Tramaine, Kevin, John Jr., Leilah, Maya, Jahmil and Jocelyn; grandchildren Isabella and Ava and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service was held June 17 at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.