Mary Lou Johnson was born in Bigbee Valley, MS to Emmitt and Fannie Strong. She confessed Christ at an early age First James Creek M.B. Church where she remained a lifelong member. Mary Lou, also known as "Cora", spent most of her life as a caretaker. She enjoyed cooking, watching basketball, and her flowers. She took great pride in raising her children to be the best they could.

Mary Lou Johnson departed this life on September 4, 2023, in Tupelo, MS. She is preceded in death by: her husband, N.C. Johnson; her parents; her sons: James Johnson and Frank Johnson; and her siblings: Jessie Mae Williams and Dorothy Nicholson.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her children: Betty (Harrison) Mattix, Fannie Davis, N.C. Johnson, Emmitt (Sandra) Johnson all of Columbus, MS, Alberta Newsom of Avondale, AZ, Annie (Hosea) Heard of Columbus, MS, Odell (Evora) Johnson of Tampa, FL, Linda Johnson of Columbus, MS, and Earnest (Elizabeth) Johnson of Jackson, MS; her sisters: Carrie Hood of Chicago, IL, and Ruby (Jimmy) Jamison of Cincinnati, OH; her brothers, John Wallace Strong and R.W. Strong both of Cleveland, OH; and a host of grand- children, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.