Mary Jack Johnson

Mary Jack Johnson, 89, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, formerly of Fitzgerald, GA, passed away Saturday, October 28 ^th , at the Terrace of Jacksonville (FL), surrounded by her family.

Born August 6, 1928, in Ben Hill County, GA, to John and Mary Louise (Cone) Dixon, Mary Jack graduated from Fitzgerald High School and attended business school in Jacksonville. She started her working life at the Federal Reserve Bank in Jacksonville before returning to Fitzgerald where she worked as a bookkeeper and married her first husband and father of her two children, Charley Ridgeway. In 1965, she married the love of her life, Dr. Roy Johnson and they had 20 great years together.

In 1987, Mary Jack moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, where she was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She was a life master bridge player, a duplicate bridge director, an American Cancer Society volunteer, a gourmet cook, and loved playing tennis. She won awards for her cooking and loved sharing her culinary creations with neighbors and friends. Her bubbly personality drew people to her; she never met a stranger and loved sharing a good joke. One of her greatest joys was being “Sweet Mama” to her beloved grandson, Russ.

Mary Jack is survived by her sons, Johnny Ridgeway (Beth) of Fitzgerald, GA, and Michael Ridgeway (Rikki) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Step-daughter, Judie Luke of Perry, GA; Grandson, Russ Ridgeway (Leslie) of Perry, GA.  Great grandchildren, Tanner Ridgeway and Abagail Ridgeway of Perry, GA; several step grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Mary Jack was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Roy Johnson; two infant children, Joseph Ridgeway and Roy Jerome Johnson III; two brothers, John Dixon, Jr. and Nas Dixon; and a sister, Lillian Dixon Wimburn.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Fitzgerald, GA, at 2 pm on Sunday November 12 ^th with the Reverend Hallock Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Haven Hospice at 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, 32606 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Marci Cleghorn, P.O. Box 989, Fitzgerald, GA, 31750.

Arrangements by A Dignified Alternative – Hatcher Cremations and Paulk Funeral Home.