Mary Johnson

ELM CITY – Mary Deborah Womble Johnson, age 71, passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Born in Nash County, NC on December 8, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Charles Womble and Helen Marie Womble. She was preceded in death by her brothers, David Womble, Tommy Womble, and Bob Womble. Deborah had a successful 37-year career as a renowned pharmaceutical executive traveling the world advising top companies including Baxter, Bristol-Myers, and Wyeth on quality and compliance, beginning her career with Abbott Laboratories in Rocky Mount, NC. Deborah loved the outdoors and had a passion for breeding and raising Arabian Horses at her family’s historic farm in Elm City, NC dating back to the early 1800s. Deborah was a Nash County certified master gardener, an active member of the Master Gardener Association, President of the Englewood Garden Club, a member of The Wilson County Beekeepers Association, and cultivated her own pollinator garden. She enjoyed travelling with her husband around the country, but especially loved her time at their properties on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in Upstate New York. Deborah was an active and longtime member of the Temperance Hall Methodist Church, founded by Dr. John Mercer, who built her family’s historic home. Deborah is survived by her husband of 28 years, John M. Johnson Jr.; his son and Deborah’s step-son, Brian Marshall Johnson of Alexandria, VA; her sister-in-law, Laurie Womble and her sons Van and Billy Womble, of Spring Lake, NC; nieces, Toni Rouse, Yvonne Harrell, Roberta Weaver, all of Pinetops, NC; Neice Renee Womble, and Nephews Dave Womble, Curtis Womble, all of Lunenburg, MA, and Bobby Womble of Lexington, NC. A Funeral Service to celebrate Deborah’s life will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Temperance Hall Church, 3834 Temperance Hall Road, Elm City, NC 27822, with Rev. Sang Park officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Womble Family Plot located at Lancaster Farm, 1201 Wood Duck Road, Elm City, NC 27822. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday December 20, 2023, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the Parlor of Johnson Funeral Home.In lieu of gifts please consider sending Native NC Pollinator Flowers directly to the family to complete “Deborah’s Flower Garden” on her historic family farm, or a contribution to the Nash County Arboretum, 1006 Eastern Ave., Nashville, NC 27856. Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.