Mrs. Donna Mary (Stuart) Johnson

Minister Donna Mary Stuart Johnson

September 14, 1952, started Donna’s journey of life. She was born to Theophilus and Cynthia Stuart (both deceased) in the Bluff Eleuthera, The Bahamas. She was the first of ten (10) children.

On March 15, 2024, her life’s journey ended in Douglasville, Georgia, in the presence of her husband and children.

Between September 14, 1952, and March 15, 2024, Donna experienced joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, good days, and bad days, but through it all, she remained focused on what was important – finding joy in every sorrow, hope in moments of despair, peace in every storm and faith over fears. She was so proud of her daughter LaTonya and son AJ and how they have excelled in their chosen professions. One of the things that brought her so much joy was the presence of her grandchildren, Dannyelle, and DJ. She looked forward to their visits almost every other day.

Minister Donna was raised in a loving Christian home with strong moral principles. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ into her life as her Lord and Savior and made a commitment to serve him all the days of her life. When she moved to Nassau, The Bahamas, to live with her aunt, Mrs. Winifred Pedican, and Uncle, Mr. Thomas Pedican, she was a member of Wesley Methodist Church.

Minister Donna was educated at the All-Age school in The Bluff, Eleuthera, and the Eastern Primary school in Nassau. She then attended Queens College in Nassau. After Queens College, she furthered her education in Montreal, Canada in preparation for nursing school.

Minister Donna was married to Rev. Wellington A. Johnson Sr., on November 9, 1974. They celebrated 49 years of marriage on November 9, 2023. After her marriage to her husband, she took up residence in Nashville, Tennessee, where she attended Belmont College for her nursing education. After her husband was called to pastor the Little Flock Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, she enrolled in Spalding College to continue her nursing education.

Minister Donna served faithfully by her husband’s side as First Lady at the following churches:

Mount Zion Baptist Church in Smyrna, Tennessee

Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky

Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau, The Bahamas

St. John Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas

Word of Life Church in LaVergne, Tennessee

Minister Donna was known as a loving, compassionate and faithful First Lady as she ministered in her unique way to the women of those churches. She was involved in the many activities designed to bring the young women into a closer relationship with the Lord and increase their level of discipleship.

At the Word of Life Church in LaVergne, Tennessee Minister Donna preached her first sermon from the Scripture: Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6. Her subject was: The Dimension of Your Faith Will Determine Your Future. At the Word of Life Church, Minister Donna served faithfully as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator. Leading the women in their conferences, Women’s Day celebrations, and other special events.

Minister Donna was a strong prayer warrior and was never ashamed to witness about her Lord wherever she was. One of her favorite places to witness was Wal-Mart where she would meet strangers and engage in meaningful conversations about the Lord. Wherever Minister Donna went, her infectious spirit touched the lives of those around her.

Minister Donna loved to travel. Her favorite destinations were Manhattan and Jamaica, Queens. New York. For many years, every summer, she traveled to New York with her late mother, Mother Cynthia Stuart. There, she visited her aunts (Aunt Inez Lawrence in Brooklyn, New York, and Aunt Thelma Lawrence in Queens, New York) and, of course, did some shopping.

In October of 2022, Minister Donna was diagnosed with aggressive endometrial cancer. Her battle took her through surgery, many visits to doctors, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. She never complained about her condition. She had a spirit of joy even while receiving treatment. Her joy was irresistible and infectious as the staff interacted with her. After the doctor indicated to her and her family that the treatments were no longer effective – she entered Hospice care at home. Her nurse, Doreen, would visit her each week to check her vital signs and ensure that her medications for pain and other symptoms were available. Her care partner, Carine Esua, took excellent care of her, coming in three times per week to assist with her personal care on those days. Whenever anyone did anything for her, even just giving her a cup of water, she would always say “Thank You!” She was a gracious person.

On March 15, around 3:15 am, Minister Donna was found asleep by her loving and faithful husband, Pastor Wellington Johnson Sr. Her daughter and son were with him by her side. She had transitioned from life to be with her God, who welcomed her with open arms. Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, safe in the arms of Jesus sweetly her soul shall rest.

Memories of her love, strength, and faith remain in the hearts of:

Her Husband: Rev. Wellington A. Johnson Sr.

Daughter: LaTonya Donnelle Cynthia Wade

Son: Wellington A. J. Johnson II

Sisters: Albertha Edgecombe; Jennifer Stuart-Bastian; Melrose Albury; and Ocelia Williams

Brothers: Gerald Stuart; Jack Stuart; Emmette Stuart; Gregory Stuart; and Bishop Simeon Stuart

Sisters-in-law: Camille Stuart; Yvette Stuart; Bridgette Stuart; Carolyn Stuart; Lynn Stuart; Pearline Bullard; Dorcas Johnson; and Eugenie Johnson

Brothers-in-law: Dewitt Edgecombe; Nelson Bastian; Bishop Cedric Albury

Grand-Children: Dannyelle Faith Wade and Danny Jamyson Wade

Son-in-law: Danny Lamont Wade

Future Daughter-in-law: Sydney Alexandra Jones

Special “Non-biological Sister”: Angelia Renee Otey Francis

Special “Non-biological Daughters”: Shalonda Cargill and Kimberly Young

Aunts and Uncles: Gloria and Edmund Strachan, Virginia Neilly, Florence Neely

Nieces: Nadia Stuart, Melissa Stuart, Embri (Brian) Kamau, Ebony Stuart, Delicia Stuart, Tabitha Stuart, Lashandra (Elliott) Albury, Alexis Stuart, Malia Williams, Jacquita Dawkins,

Genia Stuart, Bridget Hepburn, Delrese Bullard and Family, Denise Ferguson and Family, Elnetta Burke and Family of Richmond Virginia, Ingrid Hepburn-LaRoda and family, Katurah Breedlove and Family (Roswell, Georgia), LaDonna Thurston and Family, Lorraine Hepburn-McKenzie and Family, Patrice Solomon and Family, Shena Mackey and Family, Sherry Hanna and Family

Nephews: Gerald Stuart Jr, Andre Edgecombe, Cameo Stuart Sr., and Terio Stuart, Andrew Hepburn and Family, Minister Carl (Charlene) Bullard and Family, Cornell Johnson (Richmond Virginia), Dwayne Bullard, Gary Hepburn and Family, Gregory (Vivian) Bullard and Family, Keith Bullard and Family, Kendal (Anya) Johnson and Family, Bishop Kevin (Asenath) Johnson and Family (Smyrna Tennessee), Levardo Hepburn and Family, Marvin Hepburn and Family and Ryan Hepburn and Family

Grand Nieces and Nephews: Brianna Kamau, Leo Kamau, Nasir Dawkins, Cameo Stuart Jr., Sequoia Stuart, Sanai Stuart, and Cairo Stuart

Cousins: Dr. Portia Jordan and Family; Darnell (Howard) Miller and Family; Gloria (Anthony) Glinton and Family; Mizpah (Kerry) Brown-Rich and Family; Ionie (Michael) Diggis and Family; Velma (Glenroy) Miller and Family; Sherry (Ken) Brookes and Family; Sherryl (Andrew) Chea and Family; Marion (Franklyn) Carter and Family; Grace (Japheth) Darling and Family; Murietta (Clyde) Seymour and Family; Gaye Huyler and Family; Eugenia Lily of Texas (USA); Brenda Matthews of New Orleans (USA); Ann Marie Harris of New York (USA); Linda Neely; Faye (Brister) Johnson and Family; Nicoya Neilly; John (Veronica) Brown and Family; Harcourt (Barbara) Brown and Family; Christopher (Gesele) Brown and Family; Owen (Toni) Brown and Family; Kendall (Sylvia) Stuart and Family; Crestwell (Maria) Stuart and Family; Hewitt (Mary) Stuart and Family; Vincent Neilly; Garth Strachan; Glen Neely; Sammy Johnson; Tyrone Matthews and Jeffrey Lawrence of New Orleans (USA); Larry and Greg Lawrence of New York (USA); Dwayne Neely (USA); Family of the late Othella Missick; Family of the late Gregory Stuart; Family of the late Harriet Atkinson (New Orleans/North Carolina).

Special Relatives and Friends Including:

Family of the late Carl, Earl, and Charles Stuart; Reckley Family; Family of the Late Harold Munnings; Dorsett Family; Gwendolyn McDeigan and Family; Alice Neymour and Family; Jackie Knowles and Family; Dorothy Rahming and Family; Italia Johnson; Sandra Goodman and Family; Moss Family of Upper Bogue, Eleuthera; Evangelist Ethelyn Neely and Family; New Vision Church of God Family; Bishop Asbury and Sis. Leola Sellers of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Family; Bethel Baptist Church Family (Minister Ishmael Lightbourne, Moderator); Little Flock Baptist Church Family of Louisville, Kentucky; Pastor Bernard and Mrs. Crayton and Family; St. John Baptist Church (Corpus Christi, Texas) – Dr. Derrick Reaves and Family; Mrs. Agatha Culmer and Family; Family of the Late Mrs. Winifred Munnings; Family of the

Late Emerald Barry; Mr. Michael Neely and Family; Mrs. Zoe Galanis and Family; Mrs. Louise Maycock and Family; Mrs. Gladys Palacious and Family; Mr. Dawn Wier and Family; Bishop Farrington and Family; Mr. Robert Williams; Rev. Arnold Hutcheson and Family; Minister Ishmael Lightbourne and Family; Mrs. Sharon Stewart and Family; Ms. Beth Stewart and Family; Sister Thea Appleton and Family (Smyrna, Tennessee); Dr. Tanzi Dooley (Murfreesboro, Tennessee); Greta McCollough (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida); Mrs. Kathy Pillow (Nashville, Tennessee); Dr. Derrick Jackson (Nashville, Tennessee); Deacon Edward and Sis. Dorothy Taylor (Smyrna, Tennessee); Linda Martin and Family (California); Lisa Reynolds (Nashville, Tennessee); Patricia Blackmon and Family (Nashville, Tennessee); Howard and Lorraine Harris (Waukegan, Illinois); Paulette Jewell and Family (Louisville, Kentucky); Bishop Mark and Carolyn Sandilands and Family (Chattanooga, Tennessee); Dr. McDuffie and Family (Lawrenceville, Georgia); Bishop Norman and Sis. Tiffany Williams and Family (Louisville, Kentucky); Rev. John and Quenna Martin and Family (New Jersey); Rev. John Hosey and Family (Corpus Christi, Texas); Deacon A.J. Martin and Family (Corpus Christi, Texas); Angela Woodson and Family (Houston, Texas); Thewanda Cooper and Family (Columbia, South Carolina); Ms. Olivia Curry (New York); Sister Claudine Huff (Corpus Christi, Texas); Deacon Joseph Harris and Family (LaVergne, Tennessee); Deacon Isaiah Kelly and Family (LaVergne, Tennessee); Sheila Cargill and Family (Louisville, Kentucky); Rev. David and Norma Williams and Family (Louisville, Kentucky); Rev. Toni Freeman and Family (Douglasville, Georgia); Mrs. Debbie Grant and Family (Marietta, Georgia); Prophetess Andrea Ridley and Family (Murfreesboro, Tennessee); Rev. Vincent and Donnella Johnson and Family (Nashville, Tennessee); Barry and Edith Simms and Family (Atlanta Georgia); Vickie Young and Family (Louisville, Kentucky); Mr. Henry Merrick and Family (Cincinnati, Ohio); Rev Carl Sands and Family; Rev. Kiplin Johnson and Family; Mrs. Maria Frazier and Family; Evangelist Helen and Theodore Allen; Family of the Late Darrell Nottage; Anthony (Sherry) Stubbs and Family; Palace Robinson; Wordel Dean and Family; James Smith; Shervin (Michelle) Fernander; Delrese Hinzey and Family; Barbara Bastian and Family; Family of the Late Wilbert and Eulamae Edgecombe; George Knowles and Family; Gary (Ruth) Smith and Family; Lyman Johnson and Family; Elder Lyman Neely and Family; Mr. Oscar Saunders and Family; Rosie Hudson and Family; Mrs. Maybell Gibson and Family; The Sweeting Family; Family of the Late J. Byrl Saunders; Dr. Sparkman Ferguson and Family; Ms. Theodocia Dorsette and Family; the entire community of The Bluff (North Eleuthera) and the island of Eleuthera; the staff of the WellStar Paulding Outpatient Rehab; Mrs. Paige Coleman (Therapist); Nurse Terri Wert and Family; the staff of the WellStar Hospital Paulding Infusion and Radiation Departments; Dr. David Carpenter.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Donna Mary (Stuart) Johnson, please visit our floral store.