Karen Mazie Johnson

Karen M. Johnson, age 80, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, May 22, 2022 in Ocean Springs, MS. She was born January 16, 1942, in Sallis, Attala County, MS.

Karen was a graduate of McAdams High School in McAdams, MS, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Real Estate from the University of Southern Mississippi. Karen spent many years working for the City of Gulfport Planning Commission while she went to college, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She worked as a real estate appraiser, and later as broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Johnson Realty of Ocean Springs, MS. She retired from the real estate business in 2008.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elliott Redmond Smith and Blanche Hudgins Smith of Sallis, MS.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles A. Johnson, to whom she was happily married for 36 wonderful years; her sister, Carol (John) Autry; three daughters, Kerrye E. McCool, Rachel (Sander) Spence, and Mary (Jason) Strickland; and one son, Rev. Mark (Joan) McCool; nine grandchildren, Lauren, Jessica, Heather, Walker, Madeline, Landon, Knox, Wyatt, and Morgyn; one niece, Amy McLelland; and one nephew, Steven Autry.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, 196 Charmant Place, Ridgeland, MS 39157.  https://www.alz.org/ms.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Lennon Bowen, Lighthouse Assisted Living and Memory Care Staff, and Notre Dame Hospice Staff for their diligent and compassionate service and care.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 26, at 2 PM at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564. Visitation will be at 1 PM. 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Karen M. Johnson.