Obituary of Estamae Miller Johnson

Estamae Miller Johnson died Friday March 9, 2018 surrounded by family and friends in Hillsborough, North Carolina.  

She was the youngest daughter of William B. and Wynona Miller. She was born October 22, 1922, in Lumberton, North Carolina where at 15 she met the love of her life, Samuel K. Johnson. Estamae and Sam were married March 17, 1941 in Abbeville, South Carolina. She spent a year with him in Fort Wayne, Indiana before he was sent overseas, at which point she returned to Lumberton. Samuel returned home from his service in the Air Force during World War II to meet a beautiful baby girl, their first born, Ann Miller Johnson. Nine years later in Four Oaks, North Carolina their second daughter, Mary Jennifer Johnson was born.

Sam served in multiple units of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for 31 years, while Estamae dedicated her time to her work at Goforth Properties and her children and community. Her favorite hobbies throughout her life were gardening, reading, and caring for friends. She was an avid Carolina basketball fan and an active member of her Baptist churches throughout her life. Her love of Christ, children, and anyone in Carolina blue will never be forgotten.  

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Jennifer Sarmiento of Rockville, Maryland, and three grandchildren, Amanda Stone, Christopher Stone, and Ana Kesler Sarmiento, two step-grandsons, Jim and Eric Sarmiento, and one great-grandson, Brandan Kesler Stone, two son-in-laws, John Stone and Jaime Sarmiento, many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and very dear and faithful friends.

There will be an intimate graveside service in her hometown of Lumberton. A celebration service will be held at a later date at HillSong Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.  In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in her memory to HillSong Baptist Church, 201 Culbreth Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.