Mary Chiquita Johnson, age 75, of Alma passed away Sunday after an extended illness. She was a native of Pierce County but had lived in Alma most of her life. Mary was daughter of the late Thomas Whaley Benton and Daisy Iola Bunton Benton and preceded in death by her husband, Alex Lavern Johnson, a daughter Dorothy Denise Confalone, five brothers, Denny, Thomas, Jr., Arnold, Tony and James Benton and three sisters, Aline Corbitt, Lois Herrin and Doris Long. She was a member of Wolf Pit Congregational Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Wesley Dwayne Johnson (Judy) and Samuel Lavern Johnson (Jessica) of Alma, four brothers, Ted Benton of Manor, Pat "Tiny" Benton of Savannah, Charles Benton and Hardy Gill of Rincon, Ga., three sisters, Betty Riggans of Blackshear, Rose Davis of Savannah, Ga. and Martha Jean Scott of Eden, Ga.; also 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 3rd at 2:00 at Wolf Pit Church with Rev. Dwayne Tanner and Rev. T.F. Yawn officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be carried to the church at 1:00 PM to lie in state. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 PM.

Active pallbearers will be; Steve Harrell, Brandon Grimes, Keith Johnson, Lee Taylor, Greg Hand, Sam Benton, Denny Carrol Taylor and Jerry Lott. All others in attendance will be considered honorary escorts.

Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.