Nola Mae Oneta (Mayabb) Johnson, 87, of Paoli, Oklahoma, passed peacefully from this life February 24, 2026, in Paoli. Nola was born January 30, 1939, in Smithville, Oklahoma, to Martin Eugene Mayabb and Ella Mae (Burch) Mayabb. She spent her early childhood in Smithville and several surrounding areas before settling in Guthrie, where she finished growing up. Then she moved to the Garvin County area where she was to meet her first love, David Lee Ashley Sr. As a young girl, she worked alongside her family on a cotton farm, learning the value of hard work and dedication at an early age. Nola devoted her life to caring for others. First and foremost, she was a homemaker who created a warm and loving home for her family. She also cleaned houses for a time and later retired from the Pauls Valley State School, where she faithfully served as a direct caregiver. Her nurturing spirit and compassionate heart were evident in every role she held. A woman of strong and unwavering faith, Nola was a devoted member of the Pentecostal Holiness faith and attended the House of Prayer in Paoli, Oklahoma. Her relationship with God guided her life. She taught her children and grandchildren to be honest, kind, loving, respectful and faithful. Her life was a testimony of devotion and belief.
Nola raised her children in Ada, Oklahoma, on 80 acres in the Oakman Community with the father of her youngest son and daughter, Stewart Johnson Sr. She loved tending to her property, milking her cows, caring for her livestock and gardens and teaching her children how to work the land. She treasured camping trips with her family to Beavers Bend and found joy in the simple blessings of country life. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved caring for her grandbabies, crocheting beautiful afghans and cooking meals that brought everyone to the table. Everything she made was delicious, but her family especially cherished her beans and fried potatoes, chicken and dumplings and cornbread. Nola especially enjoyed working crossword puzzles and loved rainy weather, even opening her windows so she could hear the rain drops falling.
Nola’s life was centered on faith, family, hard work and love. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren and all who were blessed to know her. Nola is survived by sons, David Lee Ashley Jr. “D.L.” of Pauls Valley, Stewart Lee Johnson Jr. and wife Ruth of Ada, Donnie Ashley of Foster, Charlie Johnson of Ada; daughters, Vera Jackson and husband Orville of Pauls Valley, Judy Yarbrough and husband Mike of Pauls Valley, Becky Brown and husband Jim of Paoli; sister-in-Law, Judy (Ashley) Jones of Paoli; stepdaughters, LeAnn Crabtree of Vanoss, Sherry Johnson Saltgraver of Indiana, Janet Lynn Frazier of Ada; grandchildren, Jeremy, Ricky, Jerry Don Miller, Jamie Lee Yarbrough and wife Jennifer of Ada, Stormy Jones and husband Tony of Pauls Valley, Kristen Ashley of Ardmore, Mitchell Miller of Ada, Brandon Lee Johnson and wife Natalie of Elmore City, Ashley Brumley of Pauls Valley, Josh Johnson and wife Shadie of Pauls Valley, Racen Lee Johnson and wife Abigayle of Ada, Lynzi Rodgers and husband Austin of Pauls Valley, Tyler Brown of Paoli, Pamela Brown, Daniel Brown and wife Jessica of Pauls Valley and Savannah Brown of Paoli; father of Stewart and Becky, Stewart Johnson Sr; 46 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other friends and family. Nola was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Ella Mae Mayabb; son, Marty Ashley; first husband, David Lee Ashley Sr; grandsons, Stewart Lee Johnson III and Randy Joe Miller.
Services for Nola were March 2, 2026, at Wooster Funeral Home Chapel in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma with Blake Hilgenfeld officiating. Interment followed at Whitebead Cemetery in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at woosterfuneralhomes.com.
