Arlene Johnson, 81, of Statesville, N.C., left this earth with her daughter and her niece by her side on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in Hickory, N.C. She was born on March 30, 1943, in Iredell County to the late Virgil John Mahaffey and Stella Ladd Mahaffey.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Robert Junior Johnson; brothers, Billy Mahaffey, Arzy Mahaffey, Larry Mahaffey, and Curtis Mahaffey; and sisters, Ruth Mason, Noel Johnston, and Ruby Cates, and twin sister, Maxine Shoemaker and Louise Parks.
On March 30, 1962, she married the love of her life, Robert Junior Johnson, and together they shared 58 years of marriage. Their marriage was a full and steadfast display of true love, dedication, and faithfulness.
In October 1979, Arlene and Robert founded The Statesville Full Gospel Tabernacle, where for over 30 years they served the Lord faithfully and led the church to astounding growth. She also worked as an inspector for Jantzen and Thomasville Furniture.
Arlene is survived by her daughter, Karen Reitzel (Duane); grandchildren, Sacha Sanniota and Torie Finney (Stephen); great grandchildren, Paige Sanniota, Damon Sanniota, Leo Sanniota, Emma Finney, Winston Finney, and Matthias Finney; sister, Evelyn Edwards; numerous nieces and nephews; and step grandchildren, Crystal Lorenson, Jason McCollum, and Trevor Reitzel.
The family will receive friends from 12 until 1 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Statesville Full Gospel Tabernacle – The Wave. The service to celebrate Arlene’s life will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Tammy James officiating. Burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens.
Psalm 121 – A Song of Ascents – “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
The family would like to especially thank the staff at Abernethy Laurels in Newton for the care they provided Mrs. Johnson in the last months of her life, and to Dr. Bridges and all of the 6th Floor nurses for their care during her stay at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
The family would also like to give a very special thank you to Pastor Tammy James for the love and support that she provided to them during the days and time their mother and grandmother, and her aunt, passed.
Condolences and words of comfort may be shared at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to serve Mrs. Johnson and her family.