Mildred Bernadine Johnson

Mildred “Deanie” Johnson, age 82, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at Summerfield Senior Living in Gulfport from Alzheimer’s disease. She was born one of eight children in Terre Haute, Indiana on May 8, 1943, to Ollie Wilkie and Mildred (Long) Wilkie. She enlisted in the Army at the end of high school where she served as a medical corpsman in the Women’s Army Corp. During that time, she met and married Raymond Michael Tucker of Atlanta, Georgia and although this relationship was not permanent, they had two children Darian Leigh (Tucker) Polkey and Terry Lanette (Tucker) Gonzalez they loved dearly. Deanie relocated to Long Beach, MS where she met and married Bruce Garvin Johnson in 1975, resulting in a blended family with the addition of Stephanie Lynn (Johnson) Bruder and Bruce Garvin Johnson II.

Deanie was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Johnson, daughter Darian Polkey, parents Ollie Wilkie and Mildred Wilkie; siblings Albert Wilkie, Steve Wilkie, Verna (Wilkie) Wycoff, Marilyn (Wilkie) McFall, and James Wilkie.

She is survived by her children Terry Gonzalez (Juan), Stephanie Bruder, and Bruce Garvin Johnson II. Also surviving are siblings Robert Wilkie and Judy (Wilkie) Catterson; as well as eleven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Deanie was an administrative assistant and took pride in her career. Additionally, she supported her husband’s career and together they worked for their future. This prompted her to relocate without hesitation to New Orleans, LA, then Chehalis, WA and eventually returned to the Gulf Coast for retirement from the federal government. Once retired Deanie’s great pride of her military service led her to serve other Veterans through her affiliation with the American Legion. In 2010, she became the first female commander for the Biloxi American Legion.

During retirement, Deanie and her late husband enjoyed traveling resulting in wonderful adventures within the United States and outside the country to Australia, Italy, and Canada. She also rekindled her love of singing and became a frequent participant in Karaoke nights at the American Legion, giving her such joy in life. The family would like to give special thanks to the members of American Legion Joe Graham Post 119 in Gulfport for their love and support of Deanie. The mission of the American Legion was always present, as her mind began to change, she was given unwavering love with unconditional acceptance for many years and we will forever be grateful.

Services will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Thursday, February 12th, 2026, at 12:15 pm. Visitation for friends will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, MS.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Mildred Bernadine Johnson.