Dorothy (Cooke) Johnson

Dorothy "Dot" Cooke Johnson, 98, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 8th, 2025. She was the widow of William Richard Johnson, who died in 2003. Her only daughter, Susan, died from a wreck in 1967. Funeral services will be conducted by Belk Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, 1pm at the Darlington Presbyterian Church with reception to follow.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late H. Plummer Cooke and Dessie McGee Cooke Stokes.  She graduated from the Florence County Schools and from the McLeod School of Nursing.

Her first job was with Dr. O.A. Alexander as a Midwife, in Darlington and she later worked for Dr. J. McIvor Willcox and Dr. Marshall Coleman.  She was head nurse at the Coleman-Aimar Hospital in Darlington until 1972 when she went to work for McLeod Hospital.  She had a 44 year career there, including roles as assistant vice president of nursing and patient representative director. A portrait was hung in her honor.  While at McLeod she led the effort to establish the McLeod Guest House, named for her. She was the epitome of what a nurse should be, always immaculate in white with a complete nurse's uniform and hat. She loved her patients and they loved her. She touched hundreds of lives.

"This 'angel in white' set a pace that most could not keep up with as she cared for countless patients at McLeod. The "Dot" stories could fill an encyclopedia as she is much loved and revered not only by her patients but by physicians, nursing and all staff who have ever called McLeod Regional Medical Center home. Her contributions to improving healthcare for the region have been well recognized through the years.", McLeod Health Foundation, October 26, 2016.

Mrs. Johnson received many and varied awards.  One was the Order of the Palmetto from Gov. David Beasley.  She, however, was of a humble nature and did not seek the limelight.

Mrs. Johnson was a dedicated member of the Darlington Presbyterian Church where she held various roles. She and her late husband initiated the Susan Johnson Fund through their church for aspiring nursing students.

Surviving are cousins and special friends. A special thank you to the staff in Mabry Unit at Presbyterian Community of Florence that did much to help her navigate her last years.

Memorials may be made in her honor to:

The Susan P. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Darlington Presbyterian Church, 311 Pearl St., Darlington, SC 29532

The McLeod Foundation at P.O.Box 100511, Florence, SC 29502-0551, mcleodfoundation.org