Norma M. Johnson, age 100, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026, at her home in Scio Township, surrounded by her loved ones.
Norma was born on August 21, 1926, in Twin Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Elmer and Agnes (Herron) McGinnis. She grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression, helping her father in the fields and learning to drive a tractor at a young age. She would have to stand up to reach the pedals. She often told her children of family dinners where a single potato was split four ways, and of cold winter nights when they heated bricks on the wood stove and tucked them under their blankets to stay warm.
She attended the Pentecostal Bible Institute in Tupelo, Mississippi, where she met Samuel E. Johnson. They married on August 7, 1953, in Twin Falls. In 1954, after Samuel was directed by a vision, they moved to Ann Arbor, where he founded, built and pastored Bible Tabernacle for over 65 years. They shared 71 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on April 2, 2025.
Norma served the Lord by teaching Sunday School and through her many musical talents. She played the organ, piano, guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin and harmonica. In support of her husband's ministry, she taught music lessons, accompanied him on mission trips, and served as head cook for the many years of his camp meetings. She was an accomplished homemaker who devotedly raised four children and was known for hosting large gatherings in her home. For many events, up to 80 people at times would find a spot with a sleeping bag and stay overnight. The guys would have the finished basement and the girls would stay upstairs.
She loved being outdoors, meticulously tending her yard and preserving the produce from her garden. She had many hobbies, including knitting and puzzles and had several collections. Her husband would bring home spoons from his travels for her collection. She also collected teacups and stamps received on letters from across the world. Most of all, she was a faithful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, many of whom she was able to celebrate her 100th birthday with this past August.
Norma is survived by her four children: John Marshall (Paula) Johnson, Paul Clayton (Lela Diane) Johnson, Lucille Ruth (Brian) Erickson, and Mark Samuel (Esther) Johnson; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ruth Stallones of Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents; Elmer and Agnes McGinnis; her husband, Samuel; an infant son, James David Johnson; and a great-grandson, Everett Johnson.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4–8 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea, and Saturday, October 17, from 10–11 a.m. at the Little Flock Church, 825 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. following the visitation at the church. Interment will be private.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
