Shirley Bell Johnson

September 10, 1934 ~ November 14, 2023
Born in:
Fitzgerald, Georgia
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Shirley Bell Johnson of Lawrenceville, Georgia and St Lawrence Catholic Church died on Tuesday November 14th, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was 89 years old.
Shirley was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, the fourth of five children, and the first daughter of Nick & Mae Pope. Shirley graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1953 and later that year was married to Richard Michael Johnson. Richard and Shirley moved to New England where they spent 14 years and were blessed with 6 children. They moved back to Georgia in 1967 and made their home in Lawrenceville. In 1975 the family was completed with the birth of their 7th child.
Shirley was baptized in the Greek Orthodox faith as an infant and spent her youth in the Methodist and Baptist churches. As an adult she became a Roman Catholic, and raised her children in the Catholic faith.
Shirley was an active member of both her civic and spiritual communities. She truly had a servant’s heart and gave of herself freely. She required her family and inspired her friends to do the same. She was always the first volunteer to show up, and the last one to leave. And by-the-way, if you were not there 15 minutes early you were late!
While active in her children’s school communities, and engaged socially in whatever neighborhood she lived, Shirley’s life was centered around her faith and her family. She was a founding member of St Lawrence Catholic Church, which will celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary as a Parish in 2024. She retired after decades of service to the Gwinnett County Public Schools and the children she fed there, and has since attended mass daily, served as a lead sacristan, and taken her turn laundering the sacred cloths used to celebrate the Eucharist. She previously served in leadership positions in many ministries, including being selected as the Parish Council President and the Woman of the Year. But Shirley was, for most people, the mother of the parish. She was everyone’s mother and advisor and friend and helper. Shirley loved freely and gave her all for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is how she will be remembered, as a daughter of Christ, and a faithful follower of Him.
Shirley was preceded in death by her youngest child and second daughter Marie Ann Johnson, her loving husband of 49 years Richard Michael Johnson, and recently by her 3rd child and second son James Michael Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Julia Collins (Tim), and her sons Jerry Johnson (Janice), Kevin Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, and Chris Johnson (Kathy), and also by 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers Shirley had asked that donations be made to the Society of St Vincent de Paul Conference at St Lawrence Catholic Church or to the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Services
Visitation: November 19, 2023 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-4550
Memorial Mass: November 20, 2023 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
St Lawrence Catholic Church
319 Grayson Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-963-8992
www.saintlaw.org/
Love, Debbie and George Marano
Julia and Jerry, you have my deepest condolences, as does your whole family. You will be in my thoughts as you navigate through this double loss.
Your truly an exceptional woman in every aspect, you were an exceptional wife, mother, friend , sister in law, sister and aunt. You portrayed a woman of exceptional patience, wisdom, and grace. You never judged, only extended your love. You will always be remembered to me as a saint. I love and already miss you, love you niece Deb.
Martha Pressley
Gwen Braswell
Michele Mazzolini Williams (Charlotte, NC), Tom Mazzolini and John Mazzolini (Decatur, GA)
Shirley will be so missed by so many because so many love her.
Deacon Dick and Shirley Johnson are very special to the St. Lawrence Community. Dick was the first one we met while attending Mass on November 1, 1978 while on a house hunting trip. We grew to love their family and have seen the love passed on to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will miss your presence, but know you lived a life dedicated to our precious Savior. God gave us a special gift by having the Johnson Family in our church.