Mary Sue Johnson

Mary Sue Johnson, 88, of Auburn Alabama passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021. A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11 AM in Parkhill Cemetery at 4161 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA 31907.

Sue was born September 4, 1933, in Cedartown Georgia to the late H. Edward Shellhorse and Inez Hulsey. She was formally from Columbus and was retired from the city at Muscogee Manor nursing home as a night shift supervisor of nursing.

She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Martha Hobbs and Ann Bradley; two brothers, Howard Shellhorse and Myers Shellhorse, and her loving husband of 61 years, Woodrow Cecil Johnson.

Survivors include her four children, Cecelia A. Watts (Duane) of Savannah, GA, Gregory D. Johnson (Wendy) of Ocala, FL, Dawn E. Bradfield (Brad), Of Salem, AL, and Robin C. Haines (Bob) of Kansas City, MO; Seven grandchildren, Olivia Watts, Samantha Varnedoe, Bailey Johnson, Baxter Bradfield, Roby Bradfield, Harrison Haines and Berkley Haines. One great grandson, Thaddeus Haines, One great granddaughter Teagan Haines, One brother David Shellhorse.

Fond memories from the grandchildren:

“Nan” As she was known by her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy, was a giver, and she definitely gave to her 7 grandchildren. She bought each one their first car when they turned 16, rented beach houses for family reunions (even the last one was just for grandchildren- no parents allowed) and regularly would send checks to them by mail. She inherited money from a rich uncle in California and decided there was no better way to spend it than on her grandchildren, they will always remember how joyful she was when they came to see her or called. Her love for them was overflowing.

She always had an encouraging word or scripture to share with them if they were stressed, unhappy or frustrated. She loved to always be touching them, rubbings their arms or back or getting them to sit in her lap so she would rock them. Oh, the memories of that rocking chair ❤️!

She was the best cook of Southern food, and her biscuits were legendary. She cooked a huge meal every night for a family of six and a proper Sunday dinner for lunch every Sunday. Even after they became empty nesters, she didn’t know how to scale down her meals for just two, so her daughter and husband who lived in Columbus always benefited from her “extras”. It became a joke between them to wait until about 4pm every day and say, “let’s wait until Nan calls and says she cooked supper and has way too much to come help eat it all”, And of course the answer was always, yes! Dessert every night was syrup and biscuits which the grandchildren also remember that was a staple of Pop’s diet.

She was a merit scholarship recipient from Georgia Baptist School of Nursing in Atlanta, Ga and her passion during her working career of 41 years was serving others. She loved the elderly and had wonderful stories to share every night at the supper table. She even got her son a job there as a teenager. She had a servant’s heart, especially for those who could not help themselves. She would drop everything if someone needed her and help in whatever way was needed, especially if it included helping her grandchildren. Nan had a listening ear and would try to help solve problems when she could and was very sympathetic to others in need.

She was the matriarch of this close family and will be greatly missed, as will Pop, and will always be remembered at future family gatherings. “Popisms” and Nans “Signature Statements” will forever live on in their children and grandchildren and are quoted every day in homes, group chats and gatherings.

“We love you to the moon and back, Nan.”