Mildred Mae Cable Johnson

Mildred Mae Cable Johnson, age 96, passed peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at her home in Andrews, NC. Mildred was born September 30, 1929, at the Cable home place in the Hazel Creek area of Swain County, NC. She was the daughter of the late Jacob F. Cable and Sarah Jane Cabe Cable.
Mildred was also preceded in death by her husband Charles Fred Johnson, son Michael C. Johnson, sister Helen E. Vance, and three brothers, Shufford L. Cable, Clyde F. Cable, and Guy E. Cable.
Mildred grew up on Hazel Creek in what is now the Fontana Lake area. In 1944, at the age of 14, she and her family moved from the Cable home place to Sylva. She graduated from high school in Sylva and met the love of her life, Charlie Johnson, there. They married and moved to Andrews,NC, raising their 3 children in the Granny Squirrel Gap community in the home that Charles built. She was a dedicated member of Valleytown Baptist Church, joining on January 10, 1959, and was an active volunteer for many years. She was recently recognized as the oldest member of the congregation.
Mildred served her community in many roles, including as a telephone switchboard operator in Sylva, Avon lady, Jailer and Dispatcher at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Historian at the Cherokee County Museum, Election Officer at the Topton Voting precinct, Volunteer for Valleytown Baptist Church, and co-creator of the former Andrews Library Native Wildflower Garden. She was lovingly known as the honorary mayor of Granny Squirrel.
In addition, Mildred was a fierce advocate for access to the home places and cemeteries of her youth, traveling to state and national government offices to petition for access and eventually co-founding the North Shore Cemetery Association in 1977. Mildred served as Co-President of the North Shore Cemetery Association for over 40 years. She helped lead the effort to preserve and provide access to the isolated cemeteries of Hazel Creek and Fontana Lake, as well as record the names and locations of the individuals buried there. Mildred's love of photography also helped document the restoration of those cemeteries and the families who returned to visit their loved ones through pictures.
Mildred devoted her time on Earth to God, her family, and preserving the past for the next generation. She was a devout Christian who loved freely, forgave easily, and had a mischievous streak. She was extremely knowledgeable about native wildflowers and genealogy, often receiving phone calls from family and strangers alike to answer questions about both. In her free time, Mildred would often be in the woods, taking pictures of her favorite wildflowers or hiking the trails where she grew up. Her hobbies included photography, wildflower propagation, painting, and basket weaving. She was a free spirit who enjoyed nature and passing that love down to future generations. She loved her family, all things Christmas, the mountains, fried trout, and ramps. She will be remembered as a remarkable woman who made everyone feel welcome, whose grin and giggle were contagious, and whose presence filled a room. Beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, she embodied the phrase 'to know her is to love her' and will be greatly missed.
Mildred is survived by her two daughters; Janice Kaye Johnson and significant other, Jim Hanson of Andrews, NC, Patti Higgins and husband Mark of Andrews, NC; former daughter in law Erika; two sisters Eleanor Rhinehart and Darleene Price of Sylva; seven grandchildren Jennifer Lee Conrad and husband Mike Paramo of Blairsville, GA; Kenitra Jeanice Tucker of Columbia Falls, MT; Kansas Ray and husband Mike of Manitou, KY; Sheyanne Barton of Lake Toxaway, NC; Jamie Lynn Johnson of New Jersey; Brian Johnson and wife Kristin of Murphy, NC; Erik Johnson of Murphy, NC; nine great grandchildren Jayden Lee Conrad, Gracie Jeanice Conrad, Zoe Mae Webb and husband Taylor, Mason Shane Tucker, Sterling James Hardin, Dallas Skye Ray, Albany Carolina Ray, Danicah Kae Robison and Negan Steel Johnson; four great great grandchildren Aspen Mae Webb, Blakely Quinn Webb, Daxton Pierce Webb and Dawson Ray Dunn; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and loved ones.
Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Valleytown Baptist Church with Deacon John Cook, Reverend Stacy Wood and Reverend David Matheson officiating. Music was provided by Mark Higgins, Dane and Faye Parker, Smoky Mountain Singers and Serenity Gibson. Interment was in the Valleytown Cemetery. Pallbearers were Brian Johnson, Erik Johnson, Sterling Hardin, Mike Paramo, Mike Ray, and Jim Hanson. Honorary Pallbearer was Mark Higgins.
The family received friends from 1-2:45PM November 25, 2025 at Valleytown Baptist Church prior to the service.
The family would like to thank Mountain Home Health and Hospice of North Carolina and their caregivers, for the help and support.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.