Mrs. Mary L. Woodson-Johnson

Sister Mary Ladine Woodson-Johnson, 74, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 7:30 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, Illinois.

 Sister Mary was born on January 10, 1946 in Galesburg to Leroy Woodson and Willa Mae Jackson-Woodson.  She married Gary Johnson on October 25, 1986. 

 She is survived by her husband, Gary Johnson, of 36 years, son, Cedric (and Marie) Woodson of Clinton, Iowa, sister, Willa (and Brad) Guidi of Princeville, Illinois, two grandchildren, Brooke Woodson and Xavier Woodson (and Collin Gordon), two nieces, Tasha Guth (Landon) and Dominique Guidi, and a great niece, Lia Guth.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William. 

 She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1964 and attended Brown Business College, Galesburg.  Her professional career included Sales Manager at O.T. Johnson and Siefer’s clothing store in Galesburg.  She also served as a special education teacher’s aide and program attendant in the Galesburg School District. 

 Mary was a member of the Israel of God Church’s White Horse Army serving as secretary of the Christian Endeavor, treasurer of Galesburg Church Educational Workshop, and member of the Church Historical Committee and updated the local church bulletin board.  She enjoyed attending church conferences and working with the culinary department of the church. 

 Sister Mary’s nickname was Tootsie, given to her by her older brother, William and used affectionately by her sister, Willa.  She had a sense of humor and often teased her church family members.  Mary enjoyed and was very talented at writing poetry, often reading her poems during church events.  Her lifelong best friends were Sister Shirley Wallace and Nora Morrow along with her church family.  She was known for wearing big hats to church services.  Sister Mary’s most cherished song was “God Is” and she regularly ended her statements with “if it is the Lord’s will”. 

 Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel.  Private funeral service will be Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the chapel.  Rev. Harold L. Boyd will officiate.   Those wishing to attend the funeral “virtually” may watch the live broadcast at 11 a.m. Saturday on the funeral home’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-1603336644037824. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com. 

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