Dr. Merilyn “Shelle” Blair Johnson was born on January 18, 1969, in Quincy, Florida, to the late Clem Blair, Sr. and Sarah Blair.

At an early age, Merilyn accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and dedicated her life to serving God. She became a faithful and committed member of Jesus Ministries Family Worship Center in Miramar, Florida, where she served with distinction as a member of Women of Wealth, the Intercessory Prayer Team, and the High Tea Group. Her faith was not only something she professed; it was something she lived daily through service, prayer, leadership, and love for others.

Merilyn received her foundational education in the Gadsden County Public Schools and graduated as Valedictorian in 1987 from James A. Shanks High School in Quincy, Florida. Her academic excellence continued as she pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Florida A&M University in 1991. She later earned a Doctorate degree in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1995.

Her professional career reflected both brilliance and service. She was employed by the University of Miami and the Broward County School Board, where she impacted countless lives through education, leadership, and advocacy. Dr. Blair Johnson later founded Equitable Learning Institute, Inc. - demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and commitment to equity, empowerment, and community development.

On July 31, 1992, in Titusville, Florida, Merilyn was united in holy matrimony to Roosevelt Johnson, Jr. From this loving union, three children were born, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to being a wife, mother, mentor, and nurturer. Her family was her pride, her joy, and her greatest ministry.

Dr. Merilyn Blair Johnson was preceded in death by her father, Clem Blair, Sr., and her siblings, Allen Blair and Alissa Williams Hunter.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her devoted husband, Roosevelt Johnson, Jr.; her son, Dr. Winston Johnson (Angela) of Craig, Alaska; two daughters, Whitney Johnson of Chattahoochee, Florida, and Jade Johnson of Chattahoochee, Florida; and three beloved grandchildren, Aurora Johnson, Andre Johnson, and Kahil Johnson.

She is also survived by her loving mother, Sarah Blair of Gretna, Florida; three sisters, Audrenita Blair Turner of Riverview, Florida, Pamela Blair of Tallahassee, Florida, and Collette Blair of Gretna, Florida; one brother, Clem Blair, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA; four brothers-in-law, Dennis Johnson (Twyla) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Timmy Johnson (Gwyn) of Lake Mary, Florida, Melvin Johnson (Felicia) of Quincy, Florida, and Bruce Johnson (Sharon) of Tampa, Florida; one sister-in-law, Jennifer Johnson of Quincy, Florida; five aunts, Bertha Zanders, Evelyn Blair, Rosalee Carroll, Maria Jones, and Leonie Pender; two uncles, Tyrone Blair and Frank Pender; two godbrothers, Jim Payne, Jr. and Mark Miller; and a host of special family members, extended relatives, friends, colleagues, prayer warriors, and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory.

Visitation will be held 3pm - 5pm, Friday, January 30, 2026  at Bradwell Mortuary, Quincy, FL. A Celebration of Life honoring her extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Body of Christ, located at 6909 Havana Highway, Havana, Florida 32333. Interment will follow at St. Paul P. B. Church Cemetery in Gretna, Florida.

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