Mary Pierce Johnson White

Mary Pierce White of Durham passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 5 2022, at the age of 97. She lived at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community from 2008 until her passing. She was born to Pierce Johnson and Londa Shamburger Johnson, on July 5, 1924 in Weldon, NC, where her father was a partner in the Weldon Fruit & Produce wholesale store.  

She attended St Mary's in Raleigh, NC for her first 2 years of college before transferring to UNC in Chapel Hill, earning a B.S. in Commerce in 1946. At UNC she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and was a cheerleader, cheering on her beloved Tar Heels. After graduation she moved to Durham, and worked at Duke Hospital, where she met her husband of 56 years, Charles White.  They had 2 children James Bruce White (1953) and Lee Johnson White (1960).

Aside from being a mom and a housewife she worked several years as a nursery school teacher at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, in Durham. Mary Pierce was a longtime and loyal member of Trinity United Methodist Church, in Durham, where she served on numerous committees and anchored the Alto side of the choir loft. “MP” loved playing golf at Hope Valley Country Club, an activity she enjoyed well into her 80’s. She was a great and steadfast friend to all who knew her, though sometimes a bit impatient! And last but not least, she will long be  remembered for her “surprise” harmonica solos to cap off an evening’s festivities.

Mary Pierce was predeceased by her parents, her husband Charles, her sister, Francis Evans, and her brother, Lee Johnson. She is survived by her sons Jim and Lee; and Lee’s wife Julie Hogue and their boys David and Charlie; her nephews and nieces Edie Burzio, Vince Evans, Londa Matthews, Pierce (Pete) Evans, Louise Clement, Lee Johnson, Jim Johnson, and Mary Lou Mintz.

A Memorial Service will be held for Mary Pierce in the Few Chapel at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway in Durham, NC on Saturday, February 19 at 1:00. Her remains will be interred at a private ceremony in the Memorial Garden at Trinity United Methodist Church in Durham. The family will receive visitors at Lee and Julie’s home in Chapel Hill, NC, on Friday between 5:00 and 7:00, and following the Memorial Service on Saturday afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a contribution in memory of Mary Pierce White to the Music Ministry at:

Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 N. Church Street Durham, NC 27701