Ila Jo Johnson

Ila Jo Johnson, age 99, of Canton, passed away August 5, 2023, at her current residence of Phoenix of Union Hill Assisted living facility. Phoenix of Union Hill was located just a very short distance from her long-time residence in the Buffington Community. Many lovingly referred to her as "The Mayor of Buffington". Jo was born in Sand Mountain, Alabama May 12, 1924. She married her love, Cleve Johnson, December 24, 1938. She was a very young bride at 14 ½ and when she told you the story, she made sure to include "and a half" so that you didn't think she was too young. As the story was told, her mother offered to buy her a piano if she would wait and not get married. She refused her mother's offer and married Cleve who bought her a piano his self. However, she never did learn to play that piano. But the marriage was successful as they were happily married for 66 years until her husband, Cleve passed away. They had two children Roger Morton Johnson and Larry Austin Johnson who both passed away before Mrs. Jo. She loved her boys and losing them, a grandson, and her husband was certainly a hard thing to face but she was so strong and resilient. Jo was a fantastic cook and if you were privileged to eat a Sunday dinner after church at her home you certainly did not walk away from the table hungry. She especially loved feeding the pastors of her church and many probably left Buffington Church a few pounds heavier than when they started. Additionally, she feed many more of the community children as she was a cook in the Buffington Elementary School Cafeteria for many years. If you visited with her later in your life, she almost always recognized who you were even if she hadn't seen you since you were a child passing through her lunchline. Jo was a charter member of Buffington Baptist Church. She loved her church family and attended church regularly up until right before her passing. In addition to her two dear sons and their spouses Susie Johnson and Janie Johnson (deceased) Jo had 6 grandchildren Stacey (and Steve) Pressley. Amy (and Joey) Youngblood, Austin (and Lisa) Johnson, Aubrey, now deceased (and Cortney) Johnson, Amanda (and Jeff) Childers and Sherrie (and David) Smith. She had 11 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. Ila Jo Johnson lived a beautiful life and her most favorite things in life was her family (especially the young grandkids) and her church. She will be missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends at Darby Funeral Home on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral services in honor and celebration of the life of Ms. Johnson will take place at Buffington Baptist Church on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 2:00pm. Rev. Kevin Thompson and Rev. Mike Mullinax will officiate. Interment will follow at Macedonia Memoria Park.
The family is accepting flowers, or a donation in Ms. Johnson's memory can be made to Buffington Baptist Church.
The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Johnson family.