Denison Woman Celebrates 60 Years as Calvary Baptist Church Organist

Anna Marilyn Davis Johnson has faithfully played the organ at the church since 1966.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Anna Marilyn Davis Johnson, a resident of Denison, Texas, has been serving as the organist at Calvary Baptist Church for the past 60 years. She first started playing the organ at a church in Lamesa, Texas in 1963 before moving to Denison and joining Calvary Baptist in 1966, where she has remained ever since.

Why it matters

Johnson's 60-year tenure as the church organist at Calvary Baptist is an impressive feat, showcasing her dedication and passion for her role as a church musician. Her story highlights the important role that organists and other church musicians play in maintaining the traditions and rituals of religious communities.

The details

Johnson first started playing the organ at Second Baptist Church in Lamesa, Texas in 1963 after moving there with her husband. In 1966, she began serving as the organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Denison, Texas, a position she has held for the past 60 years. During her time at Calvary Baptist, she has played under 10 different pastors and 11 interim pastors. Johnson's daughter, Vicki Phillips, recalls watching her mother play the organ from the front pew as a child.

  • Johnson started playing the organ at Second Baptist Church in Lamesa, Texas in 1963.
  • Johnson began serving as the organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Denison, Texas in January 1966.
  • January 2026 marked the 60th anniversary of Johnson's tenure as organist at Calvary Baptist Church.

The players

Anna Marilyn Davis Johnson

A resident of Denison, Texas who has served as the organist at Calvary Baptist Church for the past 60 years.

Vicki Phillips

Johnson's daughter, who recalls watching her mother play the organ from the front pew as a child.

Reverend Clifton Igo

The pastor at Second Baptist Church in Lamesa, Texas where Johnson played the organ for two years before moving to Denison.

Steve Rice

The current pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Denison.

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What they’re saying

“The pastor was Reverend Clifton Igo and he was very popular in the Lamesa and Lubbock area. He would have me come up before he finished preaching and start playing when it was toward the end, so I was always a nervous wreck because I thought, I don't want to go too soon and make him cut off his sermon.”

— Anna Marilyn Davis Johnson (fox34.com)

“Me and my friend Sherri would sit on the front row, playing with Barbies, during the service, and if we got a little too loud, mom would look over the wall at us and raise her eyebrow.”

— Vicki Phillips, Johnson's daughter (fox34.com)

“I would thank Marilyn for her faithfulness in serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but also because you served with honor and dignity and it's a pleasure to serve alongside of her.”

— Steve Rice, Current pastor at Calvary Baptist Church (fox34.com)

What’s next

The Calvary Baptist Church congregation plans to hold a special celebration service in honor of Marilyn Johnson's 60 years of service as the church organist.

The takeaway

Johnson's unwavering commitment to her role as the organist at Calvary Baptist Church for the past 60 years is a testament to her passion for music and service to her faith community. Her story highlights the important and often unsung contributions that church musicians make in maintaining the traditions and rituals that are central to religious communities.