Marlene Smith Johnson

Marlene Smith Johnson, of Bladenboro, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026 while at Novant Health in Wilmington at the age of 82. She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. Smith Jr. and Lois Mazelle Smith and one brother, Wilson Smith. 

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, the Reverend Merle Johnson of the home, three children, Michael Johnson and wife Diana of Pembroke, GA; Dwayne Johnson and wife Wendy of Bladenboro; and Daphne Fletcher and husband Lewis of Bladenboro; two siblings, Gerald Smith of Bladenboro and Janice Taylor of Elizabethtown; eight grandchildren, Caleb Johnson, Emily Johnson, Katie Souter and husband David; Matthew Johnson and wife, Jackie; Sarah Johnson, Rebecca Johnson, Marley Fletcher and Laney Fletcher, and one great grandchild, Charlie Beth Souter.  

Mama was patient.

Mama was kind.

Mama was not envious or boastful.

She was not rude.

She insisted on doing things the right way

(which was usually her way.)

She was not irritable or resentful.

She rejoiced in the Truth.

She endured, believed and hoped.

Her love never ends.

Mama had an impact on a wide variety of people. She was not a “noisy gong” or a “clanging cymbal.” She was a quiet, solid, peace-loving voice in a chaotic world.

She loved us.

That love motivated her to put others before herself in many ways. Her love for the Lord and for Daddy gave her the strength to move across the state so he could go to Bible College. Her love for Michael, Dwayne and me motivated her to teach us many things- how to dust the chairs, how to bake a cake, how to sew on a button, how to be a friend, how to read, how to read the Bible. She taught us to be peace-loving–she broke up a lot of fights! She taught us to be patient–and we put that to the test. She taught us to be kind, because she was so kind. Most of these lessons were not in words, but we learned them by her example.

These things were not just evident to us at home, but to anyone who knew her. Her co-workers at Ward Lumber or BB&T would be glad to tell you of her kindness and integrity. She was reliable and just plain smart.

As Daddy’s ministry led him to churches all over the state, Mama lived out her calling as a pastor’s wife. She played piano, led WMU,, sang in the choir, and served the church in whatever other capacity she was needed.

The ministry took them from one side of the state to the other and meant frequent changes in where she lived and worked. She never seemed to have a problem with pulling up roots that may have only recently been put down to go where the Lord led us.

Mama taught us that family and church were to be our top priorities. There was never any question where we’d be on a Sunday morning, or that we were to be gathered at her house on Christmas Eve.

Mama retired from BB&T in 2019, but she and Daddy stayed busy, still serving churches and caring for each other. Looking after each other became more and more difficult, but Mama had such a habit of thinking of others first, that she would hesitate to let someone know when she needed help. If I ever fussed at her for anything it was to tell her to go ahead and bother me if she needed something.

She was a light to us, reflecting the love of Jesus to all who knew her. She has left a legacy of love and brought many of us into that light, so the world is a much brighter place because she was here.

It is impossible to put into words how much she will be missed, but we will do our best to honor the legacy she left us, but living like she did– Serving others and the Lord Jesus.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 24th from 6-8 pm at the Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, August 25th at 2 pm at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Bladenboro.