Betty Johnson

Betty S. Johnson, 90, of Ashton, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2026.

Born on January 10, 1936, in Denton, North Carolina, Betty lived a life defined by faith, family, friendship, and service to others. Her Christian faith was a constant throughout her life. From her childhood in rural North Carolina to her many years in Maryland, the United Methodist Church remained an important part of who she was. She was a devoted member of Ashton United Methodist Church and an active member of United Methodist Women.

Betty graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in Boone, North Carolina, now Appalachian State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. In August 1958, she married Paul Johnson, and the couple moved to Maryland to begin their life together. Betty taught elementary school in Montgomery County and later worked for several years in the school system’s central office.

As her family grew, Betty devoted herself full-time to raising her three children and creating a warm and loving home. She and Paul shared 67 years of marriage, building a life together rooted in their Christian faith, family, friendship, and devotion to one another.

Betty had a wonderful love of sewing, cooking and baking and was always eager to learn something new. She took Chinese cooking classes and became known for the many cakes, pies, and dishes she prepared for family and friends. Her recipes were never secrets—Betty happily shared them with anyone who asked, along with the knowledge and traditions behind them.

She also had a deep appreciation for family history and spent many years researching her genealogy, including tracing family roots through research in Germany and she and her sister would often stay up late talking about family heritage. Betty treasured the stories and connections that linked generations of her family together.

Above all, Betty cherished her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. The family she nurtured and the traditions, memories, recipes, stories, and values she passed along will remain an enduring part of her legacy.

Betty’s was a life well lived—a life of faith, family, learning, generosity, and love. Her presence will be deeply missed, but the love she gave so freely and the legacy she created will live on through the generations of family and friends whose lives she touched.

Betty is survived by -- her son Eric (Ann), and their family, Zach (Carly), Steven (Maggie) and Caroline, Ethan (Jamie), and Megan; her son Craig (Laura), and their family, Wyatt (Destyni) and Colton and Owen, Hunter, and Liam; and her daughter Debra, and her family, Lilly and Maddie. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy (Boyce); her brother, David (Nancy); three nieces, three nephews, seven grandnieces and grandnephews, many cousins, and a large extended family who will remember her with love.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul; her parents, David Lee and Minnie; her niece, Julia; and her nephew, David.

Viewing and Funeral service will be held at Ashton United Methodist Church, 17314 New Hampshire Avenue, Ashton, MD, Saturday August 29, 2026 with viewing 2:00-3:00 pm, service 3:00 pm and lite fare social gathering after the service. Service will be live streamed via the live stream link (https://www.youtube.com/@ashtonumclive298/streams) on Ashton UMC’s website Ashton Church (https://www.ashtonchurch.org/).

Internment, viewing and service will be held in Denton, North Carolina on Saturday September 12, 2026 at Clear Springs Global Methodist Church, 4321 S Main Street Extension, Denton, NC 27239 with viewing 11:00-12:00 pm and service 12:00 pm followed by interment at Denton Town Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty’s memory to one of the below:

• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR): https://www.dar.org/support-dar 
• Susan G. Komen (Breast Cancer): https://www.komen.org 

Briggs Funeral Home is serving the Johnson family.