Extracted from The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, NC)
Tuesday, May 7, 1968

Senate Nominee's Mother Succumbs

Mrs. J. Mansey Johnson, a life-long resident of the Meadow Community, died Saturday in Johnston Memorial Hospital following a short illness.

Mrs. Johnson died on the day that her son, J. Marvin Johnson of Smithfield, won the Democratic nomination for State Senate in the primary election.

She was the former Vara Lee, daughter of the late Monroe and Mary Lee.

Mrs. Johnson, who was 79 years of age, was known as ``Mrs. Vara.''

She had been a member of Hickory Grove Primitive Baptist Church for 58 years.

Surviving in addition to her son mentioned above are four other sons, Alsey B. Johnson of Dunn, M. Lee Johnson of Benson, Robert N. Johnson of Sardinia, S. C., and Dr. Clemuel Mansey Johnson of Elizabethtown; four daughters, Mrs. Kirby O. Langdon of Benson, Mrs. Edgar Lee Barrett of Purcellville, Va., Mrs. Paul E. Johnson Jr. of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mrs. G. McLeod Bryan of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Mrs. Hettie Smith and Mrs. Lessie Johnson of Benson; 26 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon in Rose Funeral Chapel in Benson. The Rev. Niles Compton and Dr. G. McLeod Bryan officiated. Because of illness her pastor, Elder Lester Lee, was unable to participate in the service.

Pallbearers were the following grandsons: Edgar Lee Barrett Jr., James Marvin Johnson Jr., Paul E. Johnson III, R. Bryon Johnson, Robert N. Johnson Jr., George McLeod Johnson Jr., Arthur Mansey Johnson; and a nephew, Russell B. Johnson.

A granddaughter, Miss Edna Lee Bryan, served as organist.