Magdelyn Rebecca “Midge” Johnson

Magdelyn Rebecca (Langley) Johnson was born in Tipton, Indiana on January 6, 1918 and passed from this world on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the amazing age of 105.

During her long lifetime, she was “Mom” to some, “Grammy” to others, “Aunt Midge” or “Maggie” to others still. For her, family and friends were everything, and her home in Tipton was often filled with their voices and the sound of their laughter. A child of “The Great Depression” and a member of “The Greatest Generation” she became a strong woman with great empathy for others. She was the “center which always held” and the reason why “the circle remains unbroken.” Maggie had a smile which always brought light against the darkness, and that is why people loved her and sought her out.

Maggie loved music and was gifted with a sweet singing voice. She was a fine dancer and often reminisced about the formal dances she had attended at the Moose Lodge in Tipton during the 1940’s and the 1950’s. What many will remember about Maggie was how much fun she was to be around.

For many years, she worked at Delco Radio in Kokomo, and she often commented on how much she had loved her work and the people she had met at Delco. Along with her husband George A. (Jack) Johnson, she nourished and sustained her six children who always knew they were loved and reciprocated that love in kind.

Preceding her in death were her two husbands, Raymond (Cotton) Purvis and George A. (Jack) Johnson; her father, John Calvin Langley; her mother Elizabeth (Nienaber) Langley; three brothers, Paul Langley, Donald Langley, and Ralph Langley; and three sisters, Marie Letsinger, Nina Henry, and Gertrude Tragesser.

Survivors include four sons, David Purvis (Judi), Dan D. Purvis (Sue), Rick Johnson, and Randy Johnson; two daughters, Marcia Johnson and Ramona Wolf; Debby McNew Bennington (considered a seventh child by Maggie).

Maggie is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Michael D. Purvis, Jonathan Purvis, Steven Doughty, and Kathleen Sapio; Brad Purvis, Danielle Carroll, Tonya Purvis, Terry Whitehead, and Jeff Whitehead; Amy Lucas and Curtis Wolf.

Maggie’s great grandchildren are Sophie Purvis, Joshua Purvis, and Abi Purvis; Emma Doughty; Riley Purvis; Haylee Carroll and Ryan Carroll; Jordan Purvis and Julian Purvis; Dean Cooper, Michelle Cooper, Patrick Whitehead, and Brenden Whitehead; Chris Whitehead and Andrew Whitehead; Trent Lucas, Dylan Lucas, Connor Lucas, and Savannah Lucas. She also has a number of great, great grandchildren.

Maggie’s large family also included many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. To them, she was their beloved “Aunt Midge.”

Rest in peace, Maggie. Your work is done, and done well.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, 216 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton on Sunday, March 5. A graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in Tipton will follow with Maggie’s daughter-in-law Rev. Judi Purvis officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Hospital for Children, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.