Gwendolyn M. Maze

Mrs. Gwendolyn Marguerite Johnson Maze, was born on June 5, 1933 to Hobart and Katheryn Johnson, in Memphis, Tennessee. She died April 29, 2018. 

Gwendolyn graduated from Manassas High School in 1950, a school founded in 1899 by her great-grandfather, Spencer T. Johnson. In 1952, she married John P. Maze, a sailor stationed at Millington, Tennessee Naval Base. As a Navy wife, she and her family became accustomed to creating a home in new places, but the family roots are in San Diego where she resided for more than five decades. For over 20 years she worked at her neighborhood Horton Elementary School. She loved children and children loved her. They intuitively sensed her authenticity and her belief in their humanity and as a result, she was showered with their hugs, cards, and tokens of thanks. This same sense of caring was admired by people of all ages. Her classmates, her family, her friends, her neighbors all bore witness throughout the years about her nature and personality and the words repeated time and again throughout the years of her life are the words: Sweet, Loving, and Kind.

Gwennie, as she was affectionately called, shared not only her love, but material goods as well, with those whose circumstances were dire. This she did, not because it was written in the Bible, but because it was a part of her nature. She lived her faith: Deuteronomy, 15:11, “For there will always be poor people in your land. That is why I am commanding you, You should generously open up your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.”

Gwennie was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. She found joy in being with family.  She was conscientious about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and throughout the years attended health sessions sponsored by the United States Navy. She followed those sessions by reading and further research. If one needed health information, she could provide reliable resources for review. An expert cook, it was a pleasure to dine in her home. Although during the last few years, she seemed eager to host her guests at Hometown Buffet!

Gwendolyn was baptized as a Jehovah Witness and faithfully served Jehovah for many years.  She attended the Chollas Heights Congregation in San Diego. Gwendolyn enthusiastically taught and witnessed from door to door, via impromptu bible studies, casual conversation and with three to four-page handwritten letters.  She stood unwavering in her faith knowing that Paradise was promised through the resurrection.  Her eyes would gleam and her smile would widen when speaking about a world without sickness and sorrow. One could often catch her singing the chorus to one of her favorite songs, "a Paradise the earth will be. With eyes of faith this we can see. This promise Christ will soon fulfill for he delights to do God's will."

She was preceded in death by husband retired Chief Petty Officer John P. Maze; sons Hobart Michael Maze and Patrick Thomas Maze; grandsons George Lindsey, Jr and Vance Lindsey; sisters Florence “Jackie” Johnson Montgomery and Zenobia Johnson Carter. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son John Russell Maze; two daughters Marjory Denise Lindsey (George) and Aileen Olivette Maze (Juan); one daughter-in-law, Freida Maze; her grandchildren Joshua Lindsey, John G. Maze, Micah Maze, Katherine Maze, Michael Maze, Mariah Maze, Evan Kennon, Ava Kennon and Arielle Brown; her sisters, Alfreida Johnson Stevenson, Margaret Johnson Morrison, Countess Johnson Gregory, and Bernice Johnson Henderson; as well as a host of other family and friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gwendolyn M. Maze, please visit our floral store.