MARY LEE JOHNSON
September 3, 1921 – January 2, 2026
Mary Lee Johnson, 104, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at her home in Tulare, California, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on September 3, 1921, in Louisiana, Mary Lee moved to California at the age of 23. She settled in Richmond, California, where she worked in the San Francisco shipyards during the war years. While in San Francisco, she met her husband, Maceo, and they moved to Tulare, where she made it her lifelong home.
Mary Lee lived a long and beautiful life marked by faith, resilience, strength, devotion, and unwavering love for her family. Her wisdom and grace spanned more than a century, touching the lives of everyone blessed to know her.
For more than 50 years, Mary Lee worked with two Tulare families — Joe and Priscilla Schott, and John and Jessie Torres — as a housekeeper and nanny. She became like a second mother to their children: Sally, Susan, Janice, Pamela, Frankie, and Joey Schott, and John, Joe, Rachael, and Peter Torres, who affectionately called her “Mommy Mary Lee.” Over the years, her relationship with Priscilla Schott grew into a deep and lasting friendship. Even after Mary Lee retired, she and Priscilla visited often and remained devoted to one another until Priscilla’s passing on January 14th, 2025. Every year, Priscilla would send Mary Lee “dolma” — one of her favorite Armenian dishes — and Mary Lee would return the love by sending Priscilla several of her famous sweet-potato pies.
One of Mary Lee’s greatest joys in life was witnessing her son, Bobby, overcome years of addiction and rebuild his life with purpose and compassion. She lived long enough to see him earn his doctorate in clinical psychology, become a published author and college professor, be invited to give a TED Talk, and serve as a respected leader in the field of substance-abuse treatment — dedicating his life to helping others, just as she always had. Knowing that her love, faith, and steadfast support had helped shape the man he became filled her heart with immeasurable pride and gratitude.
Mary Lee was equally proud of the devoted husband, loving father, and honorable man her nephew-son Willie became. Though her nephew by birth, Willie came to live with Mary Lee when he was 7 years old and was lovingly raised alongside Bobby as her own son. She took great pride in his service to his country as a United States Marine and in his honorable discharge. Throughout his life, Willie embodied the values Mary Lee cherished — loyalty, responsibility, family devotion, and quiet strength — and seeing the husband and father he became, brought her deep joy and fulfillment.
Mary Lee also found great joy in her gardening. She lovingly surrounded her small but immaculate Matheny Tract home with her award-winning roses, which brought beauty not only to her yard, but to all who passed by.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maceo, and her longtime companion, Lee Carr. She is survived by her son, Dr. Bobby J. Davis, his wife Debbie, and stepchildren Jeff, Anthony, Raymond, Brianna, Serena, and Angelo; her beloved nephew, Willie D. Burns, and her granddaughter from a prior marriage, Crishuana. Mary Lee is also lovingly survived by Willie’s wife, Carolyn, and their daughters, Ebony and Mahogany; as well as 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grounded in her faith, Mary Lee was saved and baptized at the age of 12. After moving to California, she made New Zion Baptist Church her first church home and later became a devoted member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She lived her life in the spirit of Matthew 25 — with kindness, generosity, humility, and a heart for service.
I was hungry. you fed me.
I was thirsty, you gave me water.
I was a stranger, you invited me in.
I was naked. you clothed me.
I was sick. you cared for me.
I was in prison, you visited me.
MATTHEW 25: 35 – 36
Mary Lee will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her life was a testimony to endurance, grace, and love — and her legacy will live on in the many lives she shaped and the family who will forever cherish her memory.
Funeral Services
A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at Peers-Lorentzen Chapel, 132 W. Kern Ave., Tulare, CA 93274, with a funeral service immediately following.
Following the service, a repast will be held at the Tulare Silvercrest Community Room, 350 N. L Street, Tulare, CA. All who loved Mary Lee are welcome to join the family in remembering and honoring her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Lee’s memory to Sacramento Recovery House, Inc. at:
https://www.sacrecovery.org/contact-us.html
To send condolences or sign the family guest book, please CLICK HERE to send. Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.