Mary Johnson, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and groundbreaking advocate for parent power and educational justice, passed away at the age of 68. Over her lifetime of organizing and advocacy, she helped hundreds of parents in southeast Los Angeles navigate the complexities of special education rules, led successful campaigns to change school district policies, and served as president of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Parent Collaborative.

Mary was born in Dover, Delaware on July 21, 1955 to Viriginia Bessix and Royal Swan. After her mother passed away when she was just 2, Mary and her six siblings went to live with her grandmother, Emily Bessix, who placed a strong emphasis on the importance of education. At age 13, Mary moved to south Los Angeles with her older sister Elizabeth, She attended Fremont High School and later graduated from Washington High School in 1973.

In 1978, Mary married Ronald Johnson Sr., and began to build a family. She raised four children with fierce love and joy: LC Johnson, Ronald Johnson Jr., Earvin Johnson, and Mya Johnson. Mary was a vital presence in the lives of her eight grandchildren—Kaitlin Chikwendu, Jeremiah Aguilar, Brihanna Johnson, Aailiyah Johnson, Kyara Johnson, Jade Johnson, Ronald Johnson III—as well as her two great grandchildren, Mazi Chikwendu and Hendrix Chikwendu.

Mary Johnson shined maternal love, guidance, and support toward her growing household and her extended family from across the country—her siblings, Ralph and Rose Bessix; her in-laws, Greg, Winifred, Leonard, and Kim Johnson; and the Wilson family. She opened her home for family members, made sure they were well-fed, and was always there to help with any problem they might be experiencing.

Mary’s commitment to provide for others is legendary in South Gate and Lynwood. For many years, she led an effort to distribute turkeys on Thanksgiving–serving up to 500 families. Working with other community groups, Mary coordinated an annual Christmas gift drive, collecting more than 3000 toys one year. Importantly, these efforts stretched across African American and Latino families—indeed, Mary’s community work always supported multiracial coalitions and understanding.

Mary Johnson is best known for her work as a parent advocate for quality education. Mary was fond of saying that she redefined the role of parents in public education–from holding a bake sale to holding education officials accountable. She was a gifted learner who took it upon herself to read and understand state and federal educational policy and then communicate key insights to other parents. Mary became an expert in special education rules and served as an informal guide to countless moms as they worked with teachers to develop individualized educational plans for their children. She attended workshops at UCLA to learn about California’s curriculum frameworks and then created her own parent workshops to teach other parents how to know what a high quality lesson looks like. In more recent years, Mary Johnson partnered with Pepperdine Professor Anthony Collatos in teaching future teachers about how they should build strong and trusting relationships with the parents of their students.

Mary Johnson was a powerful community organizer and advocate for educational justice. School superintendents, state officials, and educational researchers across the nation knew her name and took her calls. And, she remained deeply grounded in the community where she lived and raised her family. Alongside her extraordinary family, she leaves a legacy of empowered parents who understand the school system better and who know how to work together, across lines of difference.

Speaking of Parent-U-Turn, the group she founded and led for many years, Mary Johnson said: “What I like is that we see everyone willing to help each other. … People call us all times of night, all times of day. We don’t ever turn them away. I think this is where the trust comes in.”

Mary Johnson built trust, enacted love, and advocated fiercely. All who knew her have received an extraordinary blessing. She is clothed in dignity and strength.

Mary Johnson my mother was filled with faith , love compassion, generosity,integrity, intelligence,courage,hard work. My mom didn’t have an easy life she worked hard and fought for what was hers. She loved and protected everyone she loved gave her all to the family and other even when she didn’t have it to give. She taught me and my brother you can have anything you want if you work hard and have faith in God guidance. Even down to her last breath she was thinking about her future what she had do and what needed to accomplish. In her heart she wanted everyone to win if you need help along the way she was there to see it through . It was a struggle as a single mother but we never know it because she gave us everything we wanted and more the best way she could. I always loved being with my mom since I was a kid everywhere she went I was there. We were blessed by God to have such an angel who protected us and guided us on the right path. Her legacy live on through her kids, grandchildren,friends, colleagues,and anyone that met her. It such a tragic that she couldn’t finish what she started so but we as families and friends carry on her legacy’s forever. I love you mom see you again one day in heaven forever loved.

Grief is a journey with no ending destination, with twists and turns and thorns of pain laced with beautiful memories. My mother was my best friend, and we debated about the silliest things daily. Yet every morning she was my first phone call, and vice versa, she was my strength and my weakness. I'm feeling so low and broken without you, mama. Thank you for everything thank you for believing in me. Thank for all the sacrifices. I hope I made you proud. All I ever wanted was to make you proud of me. Everything i have done is because of you. I think about you everyday i still speak to you every day. I love you too much to let you go so this is not goodbye Just see you later. I love you, old lady, and your oldest Son

-- LC Johnson

My mom was the best mom a person could have. I’m so proud to have a mom like that—so strong, brave, and smart. I love you so much. My mom was always there for me; she always had my back, showing me her love and telling me to never quit. She always told me that. I can remember that you never let anyone do bad to me; whenever I needed something, you were there for me. I’m so grateful to have a mom like you. You will be missed, and your grandkids are going to miss you, Kyara Maria, Aaliyah and RJ3. They love you so much, and they are going to miss the call every night before they go to bed to show you their new tricks. Thank you so much for teaching me to be a good person and a giver. You are the best; you are my true love, Mary Johnson. Thank you for teaching me everything that I'm doing today. I know you're in heaven, watching over us. I love you, mom, so much. You are always going to be with me. Until we see each other again, Your son Ronald Johnson. Mary Johnson is an amazing woman, an amazing mother of our Kids amazing friend amazing mind so strong amazing heart for helping kids to be educated and helping those in need. Rest in Peace old lady

--Ronald Johnson Sr

My mom was a amazing woman. I often refer her to superwoman because she can do it all. She was dedicated to help others and most importantly she was devoted to her family. She was always there for us no matter what and supported us in every way possible. She taught us the values of hard work, loving one other, respect, and never giving up.I miss her everyday and wish she was still so I can hear her voice, her laugh, and smile. One of our last conversation was her telling me how proud she was of me, proud of the man I become, proud of the father I am, proud to have you as a son. I hope I can continue to make her proud and I will make sure my kids will know how special their grandma were. I love you and miss you, I know you will be with me every step of the way, until I see you again. Love you

--Earvin Johnson 

My beautiful sweet sister, I know that we all have an assignment on this earthly home, I just wish that you didn't finish yours so soon. No one would ever understand the bond that we shared or the times that we had. A lifetime of memories and I thank you for that. The phone calls, the laughs, the tears and the hugs, all a testament to the love there was. It hurts my heart to not have you here physically, but warms my soul to know you are in heaven sitting next to the King. I will forever carry you with me and promise to be strong for the family.

--Love, Rose

My Grandmother was a fantastic person, as she cared for me like I was one of her sons; she was the best grandmother or mom I could ever ask for. I loved my grandmother like she was my mom, as she put a lot of knowledge and discipline into me to be the person I am right now and will become. I will miss talking to you everyday as me and you had a very unique bond as grandma and grandson that will forever go on and last. I will forever cherish the moments we had, such as watching football , going out to eat , helping you with your business, and talking to you about life. She was one of biggest mentors and biggest supporters in life such as playing basketball , helping get me into college, and helping me with my education. I can’t thank you enough for all the work you have done for me throughout my life. I will forever continue thinking about you, the work you have done, and the legacy you have left . In the future, I will go on to be the person me and you always talk about: the richest and most successful person i always wanted to be. I Know one day, when I accomplish so much in life, you will be looking down on me smiling that I made you proud and I did it. I know that you are in heaven now, looking down on me. I will forever love you and I’m grateful for the kind person you are. One day we will cross path again in heaven and laugh and joke about the things we did on this earth and the legacy’s we both left. You will forever be with me and my heart, and I will love you very much, grandmother, until we met again.

--Your Grandson Jeremiah , JJ, Curly Fries , Jeremiah Johnson ,boo boo , Jeremia, Son

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