Mary "Evelyn" Johnson

Mary "Evelyn" Johnson, 88 of Birmingham passed away on July 4, 2023. She was born April 10, 1935, to Alfred and Lorene O'Dell. She is survived by her son, Randy (Christy) and daughter Terri (Beth), siblings, Norma Higgins, Brenda Ginn & Wallace O'Dell as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The greatest joy in her life was her family, whom she loved fiercely and unconditionally.

Evelyn had very little vision much of her adult life, but that never stopped her from experiencing life fully. After the death of her beloved husband, Bill, when she was in her late fifties, it was important to her that she maintain independence. To do this, she traveled to The Seeing Eye in New Jersey to train with her first guide dog, Dori who was so much more to her than eyes, she was her companion for 11 years. After Dori's death, Evelyn returned to The Seeing Eye for her second guide dog & loving companion, Mary, also for 11 years. Together, they were able to travel on many grand adventures along with her beloved "Hilltoppers" from Vestavia Hills Methodist Church. She wouldn't allow her blindness to be an impediment, maintaining this same courage and zest for the remainder of her life.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband, William "Bill" Johnson, & son, Michael L. Johnson (Barbara).

The service will be held on July 11, 2023, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens located at 1591 Gadsden, Hwy. Birmingham, AL 35235. Visitation is from 12pm -2pm and the service will be at 2pm.

Pallbearers include grandsons & great-grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to The Seeing Eye www.seeingeye.org