Emma Faye Johnson's Obituary
Emma Faye Glover Johnson, of Austell, GA, passed away Sunday April, 22 2018 at the age of 80. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Murray Johnson; parents; and little sister, Geraldine. Emma is survived by her siblings, Lawrence, Louise, Carol, Leroy, Frank, and David; her children, David (Kim), Beverly (Mike), Barbara (Alan), and Bentley (Yawen); her grandchildren, Josh (Angela), Allison (Richard), Noah, Tori, Roxy, Valerie, and Michael; and great grandchild, Lily.
Emma Faye Glover Johnson was born on October 17th, 1937 in Dale, OK to parents Melvin and Elberta. She was the 3rd child in what eventually became 8 children. Her family relocated to Lawrenceburg, TN when Emma was about 7 years of age. In the valleys of the beautiful hills, her family settled to start a farm there. Today, the multi-generational (and greatly expanded) family still regularly gathers there.
In 1955, Emma married Billy Murray Johnson, also from middle TN. Billy became a sailor in the navy and the young couple relocated to San Diego, CA. With this move, Emma also became known as “Faye.” Their first son, Dave, was born soon after. Three years later, after moving to Atlanta, the trio grew with daughter Beverly, daughter Barbara, and son Bentley completing the family.
Faye stayed at home with her children until they were all in school when she began working with a decorator and then an upholsterer. In doing this, she learned her extraordinary skills as professional drapery maker and upholsterer. She later shared this profession with her daughter, Beverly, the business is still going today.
Throughout their later years, Billy and Faye enjoyed traveling with their camper with friends to bluegrass music festivals. Their love of music and friends eventually led them to become the promoters of the Marietta Bluegrass Festival for several years in the late 1990s. After over 45 years of marriage, Billy passed away in 2002.
For over 50 years, Faye was an active member of Smyrna 1st United Methodist Church. She loved helping prepare and serve the community’s Wednesday night dinner with her many friends there. Faye always loved working in her yard with it’s many bird enticing qualities (including colorful glass bottles and an expansive collection of bowling balls). She often frequented local “junk” stores to find discarded pieces to turn into lovable treasures. She was never one to pass up loose change in a parking lot.
Most of all, Faye loved her family, cared about their happiness, and was always there with loving support. Whether you knew her as Emma, Faye, Mom or Nanny, you loved her, will miss her, and will cherish her memory.
We are all thankful for the many life lessons we learned from her and will always carry her with us in our hearts.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 25, 11:00 AM at Davis-Struempf Chapel with Rev. Joey Hatchell officiating. Interment will follow the service at Powder Springs Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wellstar Tranquility Hospice at Kennesaw Mountain, 475 Dickson Avenue NW, Marietta, GA 30066.
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