Willie May Johnston

Willie May Williford Johnston went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 18, one day before her 99th birthday. Born July 19, 1916 in York County, she was the daughter of the late Bennie Isom Williford and Carrie Lee Craig Williford. She was a graduate of Rock Hill High School and married LeRoy Johnston on Oct. 18, 1935. Mrs. Johnston was a charter member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church, built in Charlotte, NC in 1988. She was active in the Women's Society of Christian Service, receiving an honorary Life Membership pin and served many years working on the history of the church. She was an active person, spending many hours in the kitchen and her flower garden. The fruits of her labor were food for shut-ins and flowers that brightened up the neighborhood. She also enjoyed spending time with her husband, LeRoy, working on many hobbies including basket making and archery. She also was a member of the Swinging Saints Square Dance Club. Being an expert seamstress, she sewed her dance dresses and made vests to match for LeRoy. Mrs. Johnston enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She was the keeper of the garden and designed it. She has had a lifetime affair with flowers, using them for the bereavement committee and the church. She also created lovely pictures made of seashells fashioned to represent flower arrangements. I think people will remember her because of her friendliness and outgoing nature and interest in other people and what they were doing. Her home, family, church and friends were her great love. She had an avid interest in antiques and a natural flair for decorating and arranging flowers. Bouquets from her garden adorned her home and the homes of neighbors, relatives and friends. She shared her plants and bulbs with neighbors, relatives, friends and strangers who had stopped by to admire the beauty of her garden. Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Johnston; 2 brothers, Bennie Lyle Williford and John Milton Williford; and 1 sister, Louise Williford Love. Although she and her husband had no children, she satisfied her maternal instinct by doting on her nephew, nieces, great-nieces and children of her friends. Mrs. Johnston is survived by her nieces, Carrie Mae Love Reeves and husband, William Sidney Reeves of Rock Hill, SC and Johnnie E. Williford Bailey and husband, James W. Bailey of Greenwood, SC; great-niece, Mary Kathryn Bailey of Rock Hill, SC, her great-nephew, Christopher Leroy Reeves of Rock Hill, SC and 2 great-great-nieces, Beth-Ann Mae Reeves and Caroline Lee Reeves. A graveside service will be held 10am Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Mount Holly United Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mount Holly U.M.C. or to Sedgefield Church, formerly St. Paul U.M.C., 2830 Dorchester Place Charlotte, NC 28209, or to a charity on one's choice.

Service Information

Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 10:00am, Mt. Holly United Methodist Church Cemetery