Mary Randle Johnson was born in West Point, Mississippi, the daughter of sharecroppers Irvin and Mary Crumble Randle. She was the second of nine siblings – 7 girls and 2 boys. Her family moved to the Delta where her parents were sharecroppers, working long hours in the field but never getting ahead.
Mary moved back to West Point with her mother and siblings, a decision that was dangerous for the family. Mary recalls boarding a bus in the middle of the night to make the journey back to her birthplace. “The police got on the bus and walked the aisle with flashlights shining in our faces”. Mary had no idea that they were in any danger. She’s working on a book about this experience.
Her dad headed to Miami where his brother Amos lived and secured housing and a big Buick. When he came to pick up his family, Mary’s aunt and young cousin decided to join them. Mary laughs that the front seat held the adults and her cousin and the back seat held her and her 8 siblings. “That was before seatbelts!” she exclaimed.
The Randle family settled into a two bedroom shotgun shack in the Over Town area of Miami. She says they had a good life, and she was unaware that they were poor because they always had enough food and everything they needed.
Mary met her husband, Wallace, when she was working at a movie theater. She was just 14 years old. They dated for several years and married as soon as Mary graduated from high school. Rev worked in construction and Mary got a job at BellSouth. They had three children and in 1979, Rev became an ordained minister. In 1981, Pastor Johnson got his own church in Hollywood, FL.
After retirement, Wallace and Mary moved to Tallahassee, FL where her husband was born. They built a house in Woodville area and enjoyed traveling to visit with family in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. They also loved hosting their three children and grandchildren during holidays and summer breaks. Mary’s husband passed away suddenly in 2008 just 3 days after their 41st wedding anniversary.
Mary, always a bundle of energy, began taking fitness classes at the Woodville Community Center that was offered through the Leon County Senior Outreach program. Then she started attending the Woodville Lunch & Learns. Now she’s a member of the Advisory Council, sharing her enthusiasm and ideas to improve senior programming. She also attends and volunteers for the Southside program.
Mary is in constant motion, always smiling and staying busy. “I like being part of things!” Recently, she shared her story, family photos, and old mementos with the Southside participants.
Mary refers to herself as a Child of a King. As a former pastor’s wife, faith is first and foremost in her life. She attends and volunteers at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she appreciates the leadership of Reverend Dr. R.B. Holmes, Jr.
Mary is engaged to her fiancé George, whom he says The Lord sent him to her. They’ve been engaged for several years and plan to get married when God tells them it’s time. It’s fitting that her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 33:3: Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.
