Martha Ann Johnson

Martha Ann Dake Johnson died peacefully on Saturday, June 17 at the age of 91. The birds were chirping and the sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze. It was the kind of day she loved.

Martha was born in Niota, Tennessee on May 11, 1932 to Charlie Wilse  and Myrtle Carpenter Dake. She was the fifth of their six children. Her brothers Glen and W.G. and sisters Mary Ruth and Virginia preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Frances McDonald of Columbia. Martha, who was nicknamed Tootie by her dad, is still called Toot or Tootie by her sister, her many nieces and nephews and her high school and college friends.

Martha “Tootie” was an athlete her entire life. When she was in the seventh grade, her coaches moved her to the high school basketball team (Athens, Tennessee) and gave her a jersey with number 00. Double zero was a basketball star. She attended East Tennessee State University where she continued playing basketball and majored in physical education. Upon graduation she moved to Florida to teach and coach. There she met her husband, John Johnson (deceased), who was also a coach. They had a fun, competitive spirit that carried on through everyday life. John came with two bonus children, Jane Stewart (Lynn) and Carey (Honey) Mullins.

Her other children are Sara Borton (Brett, deceased) and Julie Pye (David, deceased) of Bluffton, and Jay Johnson of Myrtle Beach. She was the “best nana ever” to Ashley Snyder, Jarrett Borton, Savannah Johnson, Jessica Thomas, Haley Borton (deceased), Evan Borton and Ian Borton. Her great grandchildren are Emma Snyder, Layla Bowen, Kaylen Mann and Ariana Borton.

In 1972, Martha returned to school to get a degree in Speech and Hearing Pathology from Winthrop University. She enjoyed a rewarding career working as a teacher for 25 years. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church joining St Andrew by the Sea in 1991 when she moved to Hilton Head Island. She served on numerous boards and committees throughout her life and volunteered in the church office after she retired.

There will be a private service at Beaufort National Cemetery where she will be buried with her husband in what would have been his 100th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brett Borton Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, University of South Carolina Beaufort, Development Office, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton, S.C. 29909.