Marilyn Marie McKnight Johnson (known as “Mimi” since childhood), age 73 of Milner, transitioned into the arms of Jesus on March 24, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family after a 10-year battle of cancer.

She was born March 2, 1952, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the late Col. John and Doris McKnight. She enjoyed life as an Army brat, which developed a love for traveling that she enjoyed with her family. She attended many different schools from kindergarten in Germany to junior high at Ft. Monroe, Virginia, to graduating high school from Griffin High.

It was during her senior year at Griffin High where she met the love of her life, Russell Johnson, husband of 50years. After graduation, she proudly became a Georgia Bulldog, following in the footsteps of her dad and brothers. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority at UGA, where she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. Upon graduation from UGA, she worked at Southern Bell as a switchboard supervisor.

As much as she excelled in the business world, after the birth of her first child, she knew that her drive and imagination would best be used to serve her home.

She worked with all that she had to be an involved and attentive mother to Johnna, Ashley, and Rusty. If there were formal awards to be given in motherhood, she would have taken them all. After her children were all in school, she became an algebra teacher at Griffin Christian Academy, where she taught for 20 years, retiring early due to her cancer treatment needs.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church Griffin, where she taught children’s church for over 25 years. She felt there was no greater calling than to serve the church in leading children to Christ. Mimi’s fingerprints are on the lives of many children who knew their books of the Bible, memorized the Lord’s Prayer, and knew the catechisms.

Mimi was a very talented and well-rounded woman. She was both tender yet tough. She had the wisdom of the aged yet could belly laugh like a child. She was direct yet gentle. She loved a good party and gave good parties. She loved to teach but continued to want to be taught by the Lord. She loved a good movie but loved being outdoors scalloping in the gulf. But most importantly, she loved Jesus with her whole heart and longed for what she is experiencing now.

Mimi is survived by her loving husband, Russell; children, Johnna Johnson (Kyle), Dr. Ashley Moran (Brian), and Rusty Johnson (Ashley); brothers, John McKnight (Cynthia) and Larry McKnight (Kathy); grandchildren, Davis, Garrett, Anna, Caroline, Lyla, Jhola, and Homer as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother David McKnight.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church Griffin. Funeral service to follow. Later there will be a private family burial.