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Obituary for Marjorie Johnson
To the local community, she was Marjorie B. Johnson, and to the family she was "Mam", "Quilla", "Grandma" and "Cook", but she was born on November 3, 1930, Marjorie Aquilla Nobles. She was the only child born to Surrena K. Small and Anderson Nobles, both of whom have already made their life transition. Marjorie completed 12 years of school from Dickerson Training School in Vidalia, Georgia and Washington Irving High School in New York City. She continued to further her studies at New York City College. In 2004, Marjorie received her B.A. Degree in Christian Counseling. She began her social services career in Tattnall County and retired after thirty-five years of dedicated service from Concerted Service, Inc. as a Tattnall County Supervisor. (Go Mama, always being a leader!) Marjorie was a warrior for the Lord. She faithfully served at Bethel AME church and after many years she desired to support and be with her husband Rev. Archie F. Johnson Jr. as a First Lady at Steep Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Following her time of service at Steep Hill she joined Historic Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Claxton, Georgia where she was a dutiful servant until she could no longer keep up with the physical demands. During her span of life Marjorie was affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star, Coalition of Black Women, and the Women of Wisdom. Serving others is what Marjorie believed in and she let her light shine as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Director, Program Director, Missionary Consultant for the Steep Hill M.B.C. and Evangelist (By the way, you know you grew up in Reidsville if at some point you were affiliated with or participated in one of her many community activities, special events, church programs, Sunday School class, Church Choir or one of the many community and combined choirs she served in !) She was blessed with three special gifts, sewing, cooking and singing. Her sewing kept us looking good and sharp. Her cooking was immeasurable and taste like no other, but her pride and joy was in the music ministry that she cherished and shared with her beloved mother Surrena K. Small B.K.A “Big Ma”. It was a blessing to her and the many others that God gave them the chance to share the Gospel through music. In fact, one of her first studio recordings was captured on a 45rpm record singing, “The Lord’s Prayer” and the last song captured on a cell phone emphasized these words “I’m Depending on you Lord”. She found peace with God as her mom played the piano and she sang with such a demanding but angelic voice (I can see them now rejoicing and reminiscing about the United Gospel Singers, the Reidsville Community Choir, a host of church choirs and her very last pride and joy, the Golden Age Choir.) She leaves to cherish her beautiful spirit and memory, her loving and devoted husband Rev. Archie F. Johnson Jr.; her blended family of children with Rev. Archie Johnson Jr. and Mr. Johnnie Byrd Sr.; Barbara A. Hardeman, John Reginald Byrd (Annie) ; Gary K. Byrd Sr. (Dale); Johnnie Byrd Jr. (Latisha); Cheryl R. Byrd Carter; Glenda D. Byrd; Kevin L. Byrd, Sr. (Rosa); Leslie D. Byrd (Will); LaDonna Byrd Mosley; Darrell L. Byrd (Maria) ; Casaundra D. Byrd Wilson (Ron); Darlene L. Moreland; Rev. Troy D. Johnson; Archie F. Johnson III and Patrick B. Johnson; honorary children, Kenneth Byrd, Katheria Byrd, Clorenzo Byrd; Shaunte` Byrd; Joaquin Byrd; Don Byrd; John Byrd. She is also survived by her only living aunt Mrs. Ida Wigfall; brothers Mr. Rufenus Smith; Mr. Simmuel Small (Vanessa) ; Mr. Willie Small (Iris) and sisters Mrs Queen Jackson and Mrs. Vicki Foxx; niece and nephew Devaughn Foxx; Danai Foxx Smith; adopted siblings Rev. Glasper and Dorothy Nero; Dea Jybias Robinson (adopted nephew); Mrs. Gail Bacon (adopted niece); Mrs. Paulette Brewton (adopted sister) and Ms. Melba Mann (adopted daughter). Marjorie was also a proud grandmother of 141 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who loved her dearly along with a host of friends and church family members.
