Mary Stewart (Johnson) Gillis

Dateline: Fayetteville

Mary Stewart Johnson Gillis, (Mrs. John McNatt Gillis) died Monday, October 5, 2015.

Her husband affectionately known as Mr. Mack died in 2003. She was a daughter of James Archie and Mary Gaston Atkins Johnson of Wake County. She volunteered with the Red Cross, member of the 71st PTA, a member of the Galatia Home Demonstration Club, later Extension Homemakers, and served at the state level. She was a member of the JEB Stuart Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy and served as district director, member of the Woman’s Club of Fayetteville serving as President and working tirelessly to promote Heritage Square. She joined Galatia Presbyterian Church as a bride having visited for years before she married. She taught in the Sunday school and acted as Director of Vacation Bible School for many years. She served as President of the Women of the church and as Presbyterical President. She received two Women of the Church Honorary Life membership awards, one from the local church and one from the Presbytery. She was preceded in death by her brothers, James Johnson of Virginia Beach, John (Jack) Johnson of Fairmont, Neil Johnson, Tapley Johnson and William Johnson, all of Wake County, sisters, Georgie J. Leggett, Alline J. Wiggins, Pollyanna J. Paris and Lillian Johnson, all of Wake County.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 12 noon until 1:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Galatia Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Archie Barringer officiating. 

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Gillis is survived by her children, John McNatt Gillis, Jr. (Ruth Folger Gillis) of Fayetteville; James David Gillis of Fayetteville; Joseph Harmon Gillis (Betty Hyde Gillis) of Fayetteville; and Mary Jane Stewart Gillis Turner (Roy Turner) of Fayetteville. Ten grandchildren: John III, Andrew and Margaret Gillis, Jamie and Jeffrey Gillis, Amy G. Johnson, Marjorie G. Turner and Joseph Gillis, Mary Stewart T. Mudryk, Daniel Turner; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, Samuel Johnson and Benjamin Johnson, both of Raleigh, NC.

We remember her special love for Gertrude Judd Morrison, her friend and helper.

In lieu of flowers, please make denotations to Galatia Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 8800 Galatia Church Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304 and/or to the Woman’s Club of Fayetteville North Carolina for restoration of Heritage Square in Olde Fayetteville, 225 Dick St, Fayetteville, NC 28301.

 Service Information