Martha Lucy Staley Johnson was born on April 18, 1939 in Robinson, Texas. She was the first child of John and Beulah Staley. Although our country was on the verge of World War11, the Staley Household was full of love, compassion, humor and most of all a deep devotion to Jesus Christ. Martha (also known as Marty) learned at an early age, that God always came first and love for family and friends was a close second. As Marty was growing up she not only had two loving parents, she also had her beloved Grandpa (John Staley) and Grandma (Myrtle Staley), her Aunt Lou and Uncle Rex Whitaker, her special cousin, Rex Staley Whitaker and a few years later her younger sister Mary joined the family. Marty often talked about her happy childhood and how blessed she was that God had given her such a special family.
Daddy and Mama also instilled in Marty the importance of an education. This is when she realized at an early age "I hope to one day become a teacher and have my own classroom and my own students." Thus began Marty's journey to achieve this goal. Marty graduated from La Vega High School in 1957 and went on to complete her studies at Baylor University. She majored in English and in Spanish.
Marty found her true calling when she began her teaching career in the early sixties. It would be hard to find a more dedicated, hard-working teacher. She spent many long hours after school and on weekends grading papers, essays, and working on lesson plans. She was a positive influence on hundreds of students who passed through La Vega High School, staying in touch with many of her former students through the years.
Marty's personal life was very important to her. She met the love of life, Walter Johnson, while working part-time at Oliver Goldsmith. After dating a short while, they were married on December 22, 1961. They loved to entertain and often had friends and family over for one of Walter's famous barbeques or one of his " walterburgers." Marty was a devoted wife and partner to Walter and took great care of him during the last few years of his life when he was so sick.
Marty and Walter had one daughter, Jennifer Michele Johnson. Jennifer and her mom spent many happy years together. They always enjoyed going to Church every Sunday, going out to eat at Casa de Castillo, going to flea markets, garage sales and estate sales. Jennifer was a very devoted daughter who put her own life on hold so she could take care of her mom and be there for her every step of the way. She never waivered in her care for her mom.
Marty was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, her sister Margaret Northrup, and her husband Walter. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Jennifer, her sister Mary Smith and Joe, her sister Marlene Terry and Joe Ed and her brother John Staley and Michelle.

Obituary by her sister, Marlene Terry.