Marigold (Mary) Elizabeth Brazell Johnson was born on June 9, 1936, the eldest of four children to the late Lucius Brazell and the late Emma Pearl Braction Brazell in Pine Level, Alabama.

On August 25, 2025, Mary peacefully left behind her earthly temple of pain to be with the Lord in her eternal home of rest from the labor of this world. Such a kind, genuine, sweet spirit was this woman of God, whom we shall miss dearly. A woman of strength, full of love for her family.

Although her formal education was interrupted, she completed the 11th grade. She attended Howard High "Hustling Tigers" School but was not able to march with her graduating class of 1954.

Her early years of Christian education were rooted in the Greater Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, where she was baptized at an early age.

After working on several jobs in Chattanooga, she moved to California to begin a new life with her children.

In 1999, Mary married James Lee Johnson. They had been married 24 years before James passed away in May 2024. They attended Belgrade Baptist Church. Mary later decided to unite with Live Oak Church of God in Christ, where she found the peace she had been seeking to serve and worship as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ until her failing health prevented her from active attendance. She continued to listen in on Bible study hour each week.

She was the matriarch of the family who would travel long distances to care for sick relatives. She was the official master caregiver of the family—always just a phone call away. She cared very deeply for her loved ones. Mary also loved to laugh and travel with family on vacation. She enjoyed life.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James L. Johnson; mother-in-law, Irene Cato; son, Cedric D. Brazell; sister, Vallentenia Brazell Stoudermire; brother, Lucius S. Brazell; and son-in-law, William Devore.

She leaves to cherish her memories three children, Robin Devore, Jeffery Brazell, and Don Brazell, all of California; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, all of California; one brother, Frank (Buddy) Brazell of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Syria Shepherd of Chattanooga, Tennessee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Pastor and First Lady Alexander J. Bullard, Sr., and the Greater Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church family of Chattanooga; and very dear and close family friends, Mrs. Evelyn Lovelady, Gregory and Brenda Martin of Chattanooga, and Phyllis Cooksey Fontenot, a.k.a. "Patches," of California.