Deborah Joan (Mason) Johnson

Deborah (Debbie) Joan Mason Johnson passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025 at her home in Riverton, Alabama. She was 77 years of age.

Debbie was born on April 22,1948 at her family home in Plevna, Alabama. Her life journey began with a humble Christian raising. She grew up helping her family of ten harvest cotton to make their living, and also learning what it meant to love others deeply, to strive in making the most of having so little, and most important, to serve the Lord.

She attended Buckhorn High School, where she graduated in 1966. Debbie began her career working for NASA during the Apollo era as a Secretary. She witnessed the Apollo 11 launch in 1969 at Cape Kennedy. Debbie and her husband, Wendell, were married on April 11 of 1969, and her first son, Marcus, was born exactly two years after in 1971. Later, she worked for the Hawk Missile Project Office and briefly lived in Paris, France with her family to support a field office there. In 1985, her second son, Zachary, was born, and Debbie retired from the government to spend time at home with her family.

Debbie spent her life serving God, nurturing her family, and growing flowers! She had as many as thirteen flower beds at once, and she stayed busy keeping her husband and son from getting too close with the lawnmower. She put her heart into learning to play the piano and read music, but was always fascinated by players that could simply play by ear. Reading the Bible was part of her daily life. She cherished the Word of God and wouldn't so much as place other items on top of her Bible. Often, she would recite Psalm 121 and remind her loved ones that her help did indeed come from the Lord.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Fannie Mason; and siblings, Opal Brady, Olga Gray, Avis Satterfield, Rachel Lamb, Carmen Taylor, Jackie Mason and Durwood Mason.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 56 years, Wendell; her sons, Marcus and Zachary; her granddaughter, Courtney; and her great-grandson, Rowan; as well as so many dear family and friends.

Services will be held to honor Debbie's life on August 19 and 20 at Spry Funeral Home. The burial will be at Miller Cemetery.

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