Orlando residents who knew Johnnie Mae Wilcox or her family will gather to remember a woman described by relatives as the "rock" of the household and a longtime Walt Disney World employee.
What Orlando residents need to know
Wilcox died Thursday, July 2, 2026. Her family said she had worked at Disney for more than 40 years to support them. Funeral services are set for Saturday, July 18, at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando, followed by interment at Washington Park Cemetery.
- Date of death: Thursday, July 2, 2026
- Funeral service: Saturday, July 18, 10:00 a.m., Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 4077 Prince Hall Blvd., Orlando
- Burial: Washington Park Cemetery, immediately following the service
Family and local ties
Wilcox was preceded in death by a daughter, Denice Johnson of Orlando. She is survived by two daughters, Dr. Gennett Johnson of Orlando and Annette Bowen of Kissimmee, and a son, Rickey L. Johnson of Orlando. The family noted her strong faith and devotion to her children and grandchildren.
"She has moved on to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ," the family said.
The announcement highlights Wilcox’s lengthy employment at Walt Disney World. Her more than 40 years with the company place her among the many longtime central Florida residents whose livelihoods were tied to the region’s tourism industry.
Service details and community context
Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, located on Prince Hall Boulevard, is a longtime gathering place for services and funerals that draw members of Orlando’s African American community. Washington Park Cemetery, where Wilcox will be interred, is also a local burial ground with decades of community connections.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Funeral Service | Saturday, July 18, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. |
| Location | Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 4077 Prince Hall Blvd., Orlando |
| Interment | Washington Park Cemetery |
Friends, former co-workers and neighbors who wish to pay respects can attend the service on July 18. The family is expected to receive visitors at the church and at a gathering following the interment.
For many in Orlando, the passing of a neighbor who worked for decades in the local tourism sector is a reminder of the personal histories behind the city’s growth. Wilcox’s lengthy career at Disney and her role as a mother and community member are the elements her family asked the public to remember.
Additional memorial information and any updates to service arrangements are typically provided by the family through the funeral home or church hosting the service.
