Helen Marie Johnson

It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Ms. Helen Marie Johnson.

Ms. Johnson passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026.

The family will receive friends at: 508 S. 11th Street, Hartsville,SC.

Arrangements will be announced by Davis Funeral Home, LLC, of Hartsville, SC.

Mrs. Helen Marie Johnson, affectionately known as Momma, Grandma, and GiGi, entered eternal rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

Helen Marie Johnson was born on November 7, 1939, in Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey to Martha and Willie McKoy. She was raised in Asbury Park and attended Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. She continued her education at Bordentown School in Bordertown, New Jersey, formerly known as The New Jersey Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth, known as the “Tuskegee of the North.” Her education helped shape the strength, resilience, and high standards she carried throughout her life. After completing her education, Helen worked at Boss-Linco Lines in Buffalo, New York. She later dedicated many years to caring for others as a private-duty caregiver and home health aide, where she cared for others and touched many lives. 

Helen was a faithful member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, where she served as a Junior Missionary and was baptized. Through her church service, she developed a lifelong passion for helping others, providing food, clothing, and essential supplies to families and seniors in need. 

Helen was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose life was centered around faith, her family, and the many people she touched throughout her life. 

Helen was a member of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, under the leadership of Pastors, John and Anne Gimenez. Her relationship with God was an important part of her life, and she found strength and comfort in knowing that her ultimate home was with her Lord and Savior. 

Helen was the proud mother of six children. Family was at the heart of Helen’s life, and they were her greatest blessing. She treasured time spent with the people she loved and especially enjoyed holiday dinners and family gatherings, where memories were made and traditions were shared. Her love for her family was evident in the generations she nurtured and the relationships she built. 

Helen also had a love for reading and an interest in health care politics. She was thoughtful, engaged, and never afraid to have a conversation or share her perspective. Those who knew her will remember her for her strength, her intellect, and her uncanny way of remembering conversations and events. She remembered birthdays, phone numbers, every account number she owned, and every word you ever said to her. She was known for many clever sayings, such as “Keep living,” “My name ain’t Bennett and I ain’t in it!” and “You might want to get that checked.” 

Beyond the titles of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Helen was a source of love, strength, wisdom, laughter, and encouragement to those around her. She leaves behind countless memories that her family will carry with them for years to come. 

Helen was preceded in death by: her beloved husband, James Johnson; parents, Martha and Willie McKoy; siblings: William McKoy, Douglas McKoy, and Jimmy McKoy; great-grandchildren, KaRon Burns-Jones and Dominic Rosenberg; and two special sons-in-law, Robert A. Jones and Fritz Jean Jr. 

Helen leaves to cherish her memory: her six children: Eddie Zeb Rush (Sandy Tapia), David Michael Rush (Esha Currelly), Earl Bobby Rush (Valerie Ricks) Clotelia Yvonne Rush Simmons (James Simmons); Verlinda Marie Rosenberg (Marc Rosenberg); and Diana Elizabeth Jean; step-daughter, Cloteleous Smith (Eric) of Garner, NC; grandchildren: Kareem McKoy-Jones, Kira Rush, Eddie Rush II, Duwayne Rush, Brittany Jean Huff, Keisha Rush, Carrie Jones, Kyanna Rush, Dominique Jean-Stowe, Aaron Rosenberg, Robert Jones Jr; Jasmine Jean, Nicole Roseberg, and Jazmin Rush; great-grandchildren: Amiyah Wise, Anevaeh Wise, Kai Jones, Noemi Lopez, Carter Stewart, Eddie Rush III, Zaiden Norwood, Zoe Garza, Zimone Norwood, Khalani Jones, Julian Jean, Royalty Jones, Alaiya Jean, Aliyah Rush, Rhys Stowe, Noah Huff, Marly Jean, Rylee Stowe, Cho’zyn Jones, Jordyn Stewart and one more on the way; extended family; nieces and nephews; church family; lifelong friends: Mary and the late Richard Williams of VA, Stephanie Hemingway of Virgina Beach, VA, the Riley family of Florence, SC, Amber Pierce of Hartsville, SC, Jennifer Reese of Virginia Beach, VA, Virgil Chisim of Maryland, and Dexroy Chism of Maryland; along with a host of loved ones whose lives were made better simply because she was in it.

 Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, we find comfort in knowing that Helen’s earthly journey is complete and that she is now resting in the presence of her Lord and Savior. 

The love she gave does not end with her passing. It lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and everyone blessed to know her. 

Her family will continue to gather, laugh, share stories, celebrate holidays, and make memories - carrying with them the love and legacy she left behind. 

Her life was a blessing. Her memory is a treasure. Her legacy will live on through generations. 

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Rest peacefully, Momma, Grandma, GiGi You were loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten, Until we meet again.