Her Story

STELLA MAE JOHNSON was born on November 12, 1936, in Pocomoke City, Maryland, to the late Irvin and Beulah Johnson. She transitioned on June 10, 2020, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her parents and eleven of her siblings.

Stella was educated in the public schools of Worcester County and was a dedicated employee of Perdue Farms, Inc., where she worked faithfully until her retirement. She was also a member of Tabernacle of Grace Full Gospel Church of Deliverance in Salisbury, Maryland.

Stella was the loving mother of six children: Billy, Robert, Mary, Michael, Edith, and Rodney.

In 1967, Stella experienced a life-altering and heartbreaking loss when her children were removed from her care. She was told that if she secured a home of her own, they would be returned to her. With determination and love guiding her, she worked to make that promise a reality and was able to obtain a home. However, despite her efforts, her children were never returned.

Even through this, Stella’s love never wavered. She never stopped thinking of her children and held on to the hope that one day they would be reunited. In time, she was blessed to build and maintain relationships with her older children, as the foster families lived nearby and allowed them to spend time together. Though she was not able to connect with her younger children during their earliest years, that love remained constant.

As her children grew into adulthood, Stella was able to reconnect with all of her children and establish meaningful relationships with them. She especially cherished visiting two of her children who lived in California, which gave her the opportunity to travel across the country. She loved riding the Greyhound bus from Salisbury, Maryland, to Oceanside, California.

Stella found joy in the simple things. She loved sewing, knitting, working crossword puzzles, and cooking. She was especially known for her homemade meals, including her sweet potato rolls, potato salad, vegetable beef soup, and chicken and dumplings. These are the dishes that will always be remembered with love by her children and all who knew her.