Mickie Johnson

Johanna Louise “Mickie” Johnson passed away unexpectedly at the age of seventy-eight on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Known as “Mimi” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and most everyone she met, no words could better capture her character than those she used to describe her own mother: “I could tell story after story… However, I always come back to two simple words: She loved.”

 Born on November 25, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, Mickie was the daughter of the late Jeff and Anna Louise Privett Davis. Some of her earliest memories were laboring alongside her dad in the cotton fields, recalling with fondness how he would leave an already picked pile of cotton in the middle of her row, pretending as if he had nothing to do with it. She couldn’t have been more proud of her mother, who loved and labored for their family when her father couldn’t as a result of mental and physical suffering he brought back with him from the Second World War (where he earned the Bronze Star for valor). More than anything, Mickie remembered how her mother, known to many as “Granny Lou,” taught her to praise God for His love each night on bended knee (bending as best as she could even after arthritis claimed its due). Mickie and her sister, Elaine, were loving caregivers of their mother until her passing at ninety years of age.

Mickie was her high school’s homecoming queen, graduated in the top five of her class, and helped her cheerleading team win “Best In County” her senior year. She worked throughout college, setting a lifelong pattern of providing support for her family, which followed not too far behind.

On May 29, 1967, Mickie and Don Johnson tied the knot at a courthouse in Hernando, MS, after a fateful introduction by Mickie’s uncle. She was taken with Don’s cool demeanor and flashy ride; he was forever spoiled by her amazing cooking and faithful care, especially over the years as his health has declined. They raised two children, Melissa and Scott, and celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage in 2024.

 Mickie’s proudest accomplishments stemmed from her role as mother and Mimi. She took immense joy in nurturing and encouraging her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family was her passion, and she showered them with her love and attention, whether in person, by phone, or in one of her legendary social media posts.

Mickie’s other hobbies also brought her happiness, most notably her knitting and crocheting, often making dishcloths and cross towels to give away as gifts. She enjoyed working in her yard and cooking for her family, especially her Hello Dollies, Banana Pudding, and Lemon Ice Box Pies. She loved Nativity scenes and looked forward to displaying them come Christmas. A devoted prayer warrior, she was known for her unwavering intercessions for her family, friends, and just about anyone she was aware of (including The Voice’s Blake Shelton and the entire starting lineup of the St. Louis Cardinals).

If you knew Mimi, she loved you and you gained a Mimi. Every stranger that she met could tell you the same: to know her was to love her; to know her was to feel loved.

 Surviving to cherish her memories are her husband, Don; her children, Melissa Walls (husband Bart) and Scott Johnson (fiancée Jennifer Stokely), both of Jackson, TN. Mimi’s legacy also continues through her grandchildren, Katelyn Walls Shelton (husband John), Kirk Walls (wife Brooklynn), Kolton Walls, and Reagan Johnson, and her great-grandchildren, Roland, Remy, Ginny, and Eliza Shelton, and Ellington Walls. Mickie is also survived by her beloved sister, Elaine Crafton, who will treasure their many adventures together as “Lucy and Ethel.” Casey, her much loved fourteen-year-old chihuahua, will miss her greatly.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Lewis Crafton. Her brother Wayne Davis (wife Wilma) also passed away this week.

SERVICES: The Funeral Service celebrating Mickie’s life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors (148 W University Pkwy, Jackson, TN 38305) with Dr. Ray Van Neste officiating. Burial will follow at Browns Church Cemetery (181 McLeary Road Road, Jackson, TN 38305).

Visitation with friends and family will be on Thursday, January 2, 2025, beginning at 4:00 p.m. and continuing until 7:00 p.m. at Arrington Funeral Directors. Visitation on Friday will begin at 12:00 p.m. and continue until the service begins at 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will be webcast on the Arrington Funeral Directors website.

Pallbearers to serve will be Scott Johnson, Kirk Walls, Kolton Walls, Jeffrey Scott Crafton, Kyle McConnell, and Trevor McConnell. Honorary pallbearers are Bart Walls and John Shelton.

The family is requesting that memorial contributions be directed to the Kirkland Cancer Center, 720 W. Forest Avenue, Jackson. TN 38301 or online at https://wthhopeandhealing.org/funds/kirkland-cancer-center/.

Mickie Johnson will be dearly missed and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Webcasting: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNTg1MzI2MDM0MzYwNiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==