Mai Johnson

Obituary for Mai Johnson Mai N. Johnson, 78 of Woodbridge, VA. Passed away peacefully, at home on March 30th, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Early Life and Background Mai was born on July 28th, 1946, in Cambodia to Father, Duoc Van Nguyen and mother, Sang Thi-Ly (both who preceded her in death). Around 1966, in Vietnam, Milton saw Mai from his office window for the first time and knew he wanted to get to know her. For over a month he followed and searched for her because he kept losing her in the crowded streets of the city. Eventually she noticed him following her every day and she would take different paths home. The day he finally introduced himself to her, Mai ran home to her mother and told her she was being followed by a stranger these past few days and to tell him to go away. Eventually, Milton got the approval from his future father and mother-in-law to date Mai, but her siblings had to go on the dates with them. Love bloomed and grew between them and in 1968, Mai married Milton her soulmate. In 1972, she moved to Bridgeton, NJ, from Vietnam with her soulmate and children. That begins her new chapters of life as a military spouse. Finally planting roots in Virginia, where she lived until her passing. Mai was a hard-working woman who dedicated over 30 years working at the Commissary as a contractor for the U.S. Army. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and imparting wisdom on us by sharing stories of her life and the experiences she had growing up and traveling the world. She loved listening to music in her native language of Vietnamese and spending time with her soulmate whom she spent 55 plus loving years happily married to. Mai, whose favorite color was blue, was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She would often say that her husband, who she would loving referred to as “Daddy” gave her a good life and made all her dreams come true. Mai is survived by: Husband: Milton Johnson of Virginia 3 Sons: Tan and Trang Nguyen of Georgia, Joseph and Syteria Johnson of West Virginia, Milton and Shawnette Johnson of Georgia. 3 Daughters: Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam, Savah and James Oden Jr (Preceded in death) of Virginia, June and Steven Adams of Virginia. 16 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren Poem from above: God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be. So he put His arms around you And whispered “Come to me.” With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands at rest. God broke hearts to prove to us, He only receives the best. Poem from children: You can only have one mother Patient, kind and true. No other friend in all the world, Will be the same to you. When other friends forsake you, To mother you will return For all her loving kindness, She asks nothing in return. As we look upon her picture, Sweet memories we recall, Of a face so full of sunshine, And a smile for one and all. Sweet Jesus, take this message, To our dear mother up above, Tell her how we miss her, And give her all our love. Acknowledgement: The family of Mai Johnson would like to thank everyone for their kind expressions. Your phone calls, visits, flowers, thoughts and prayers have all helped greatly during this time. The family would like to ask for privacy and time to mourn intimately over the next few weeks. May God continue to bless each of you is our prayer.

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Mai Johnson

July 28, 1946 - March 30, 2025