Marita Joyce Johnson

Marita Joyce (Milner) Johnson was born July 6 1932 to Gus and Lela Milner in Davis, Oklahoma. They moved to Pauls Valley when Marita was 9 years old, where her dad owned and operated Milner’s Bakery. Marita attended Pauls Valley High School where she graduated top 10 in her graduating class. She held first chair in Clarinet in band, was President of Future Homemakers of America, active in drama class where she usually played the part of a little girl because of her size. She was voted most ambitious by her senior class. After high school she attended OBU in Shawnee Oklahoma. Marita met her husband Leon while he was employed at the bakery. They married in 1950 and spent 67 years together working side by side until his passing in 2018. Together they raised 5 children. In 1960 Marita started making draperies for local furniture stores in her home. She quickly had to move downtown, first to the Yeatts Furniture store. In 1970 she moved to the current location. She was definitely ambitious and soon opened stores in Ada, Ardmore and Norman. Marita has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley for 84 years. She loved her church and church family. Marita is preceded in death by her husband Leon Johnson, parents Gus and Lela Milner, brothers Alfred and Ralph Milner, sister Annette Palmer, son Danny Johnson, Bonus grandson Scott Flaman. Father and mother-in-law Bud and Ivy Johnson. Survived by son Terry Johnson and wife Barbara, daughter Anita Cottrell and husband David, son Eric Johnson and wife Shirley, daughter Lea Ann Stevenson and husband John. 9 grandchildren Jill Young and husband David, Jeremy Cottrell and wife Teri, Christy Dabbs and husband A J, April Cartwright, Alicia Willis, BJ Johnson and wife Selena,Chris Johson, Dusty Willis and wife Kristi, Jamie Gray and husband Jason. 17 Great Grandchildren, Emilee and Zachary Young, Joshua Cottrell, Ethan and Loren Cartwright, Jacob and Aja Riddle, Lexi, John Eric Johnson, Jillian and Sydney Johnson, Henley, Dawson and Kensington Willis, Austin, Dawayne and Megan Chestang,Bonus Grandchildren,Dillon and Te’a Prince. 6 Great Great Grandchildren, Delilah, Luke, Hazel, Lakelynn, Callum and Salem. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends too many to count. Marita survived pancreatic cancer for 12 years, which was a testament of her strong will and faith. She never doubted that God was in control. She was diagnosed with leukemia in March of 2025 and continued to praise God for the beautiful life he gave her. While visiting with friends a few days before she died mom said something that we should all take with us in her memory.... “Ive lived so long and learned so much I’ll never live long enough to forget it all." Marita Johnson Funeral services are scheduled for March 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley with John Stevenson officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home.

Marita Joyce Johnson

July 6, 1932 - March 15, 2026