Mrs. Marietta Johnson Stevenson

It is with deepest sympathy that we announce the passing of Mrs. Marietta Johnson Stevenson, age 86, of Powder Springs, Georgia, who entered into her eternal rest on September 20, 2024.  A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness215 County Road Marietta, Georgia 30064.

Hanley Shelton Funeral Directors, Marietta.

Marietta Johnson Stevenson was the firstborn and beloved daughter of Mary and Grover Johnson.  She was born on September 30, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio.  She was affectionately called "sista" by her siblings.  She was educated in the Cleveland Public School system graduating from John Hay High School with honors and received certifications in secretarial administration and stenography.  She was not only smart but intelligent. She was a consummate professional and worked hard to advance to the executive level. While in Cleveland she worked as a senior secretary for General Electric, and spent many years at the Easterly Cleveland Sewer and Water Plant where she was the only black secretary supporting the plant director.  She later worked at General Atomic in San Diego where she retired in 1990.

While she was a teenager she met the love of her life Mason Stevenson. They would eventually marry and raise four children. They were married for 57 years until his death in May 2024.

In 1978, Marietta and Mason moved to San Diego, California joining her parents and two siblings Curtis and Brenda. They would reside there for almost 40 years until 2016 when they relocated to Powder Springs, Georgia to be closer to their children (Rick and Maria) and grandchildren. During this time they enjoyed living with their daughter Maria and her husband Warren for many years spending quality time in the ministry together serving Jehovah. She also spent quality time with Rick and Denise in sacred service and visiting at their home in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

While very young Marietta dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Christian witnesses in 1974.  She was a spiritual woman of strong faith and had the privilege of serving Jehovah for 50 years which during that time she was a regular pioneer for over 25 years. She recently was an exemplary publisher in the West Marietta congregation.  Prior to that, she was in the Lost Mountain congregation for eight years. She was a pillar in every congregation she attended in Ohio, California and Georgia.  Many in the congregations learned from her and imitated her faith.  She impacted many lives in a profound way that will be remembered and cherished forever.

In 1993, she was privileged to be a delegate at the South Africa international convention in Pretoria.  She labeled this as a highlight of her spiritual career that she fondly talked about often.  She attended the 2014 and 2019 international conventions in Atlanta, Georgia.  She became beloved to many friends at these conventions.  She was a zealous proclaimer of the good news and with Jehovah's blessing aided many into the truth and helped many to return to Jehovah.  She loved people, especially her family. Her life course was an example to her children and grandchildren of how to trust in God and to put Him first in your life. This loyalty and passion she learned from her mother.  She was an avid Bible student and encouraged many about God's kingdom, love and wisdom as revealed in the Bible.  She was beautiful in countenance and appearance, being a spirited contributor, and beloved christian pillar in every congregation she attended.  She had a calm disposition and was known for her elegant conduct and speech.  She was known for her signature rum cake and loved to share it with family and friends on any occasion.  

She enjoyed reading, dancing, playing games, entertaining the friends, and living life dedicated to God.  She will be missed terribly by all that knew and loved her.

Marietta is survived by her son, Rick Paul (Denise), daughter, Maria Carey (Warren), 13 grandchildren;  Markeba, Percell, Moniette, Marlin, Darnell, Mia, Melissa, Mahlon, Kevin, Korey, Kasey, Mason, JaKobe; 16 great grandchildren; one brother Curtis Johnson (Georgie), two sisters Lorene Robinson, and Brenda Jackson (John), a very special niece Loretta Walton which she had a beautiful and dear bond with, her best friend of 50 years Annie Boyce, two beloved spiritual daughters; Shardee Gallock (Paul), Betty Jean Aldridge, Carol (Denise's mother) and many friends (too many to name) from all over the world Europe, Japan, South Africa, Ohio, California and Georgia to name some.  Mom loved the friends and her family dearly, her "bestie" and Rummikub buddy Marilyn Shepherd, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

Marietta is preceded in death by her husband Mason, parents Grover and Mary; two sons; Glenn and Mason ("Stevie"), two sisters; Janice and Jernell, one brother Grover.

Acknowledgements
Thank you to the Lost Mountain and West Marietta congregations for the support and love to the family of Marietta Stevenson during these difficult times of loss. 
The family would like to also thank everyone for the words of comfort and scriptural encouragement received through visits, telephone calls, text messages, meals, prayers and support has been a strengthening aid to us that we will continue to hold near to our heart.  We are grateful to each one of you. A special thanks to the staff at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and mom's cardiologist Dr. Gordon at Kaiser Permanente.  Last, but certainly not least, Mom would want a huge thank you to be noted, to her grandson, and "hero" Mahlon.  He was the sunshine and strength needed during some of their darkest days.  Mom (grandpa and Maria) was very grateful for Mahlon's sacrifices, love and support over the years for his grandparents.

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