Pauline “Nana” Leggins Johnson Murray peacefully passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Bayhealth Hospital in Dover. She was 87.
Born on January 9, 1938, in Mississippi and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Pauline was the beloved eldest daughter of Jessie Mae and Joe Leggins.
In the mid-1970s, Pauline relocated to New York, where she worked for the “Ball Family” until her retirement in 2002. She later moved to Delaware in 2005, where she became a cherished member of the Milford community. Pauline worked as a bus aide and cafeteria worker at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School until her retirement in 2014.
Pauline will be lovingly remembered for her unwavering faith, deep love for her family, and her nurturing spirit. She was especially devoted to her granddaughter and great-grandchildren. A talented singer, she was an active member of her church choirs, both at Greater Eternal Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York, and Union Baptist Church in Lincoln, Delaware. Pauline’s kindness knew no bounds—she never met a stranger and always greeted others with warmth and joy.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Mae and Joe Leggins; her only son, Franklin “Frankie” Johnson; six sister, Annie Ruth Lane, Lena Mae Badger, Martha Hinton, Maryann Davis, Aileen Leggins, and Mary Lee Snell; as well as five brothers,Joe Allen Leggins, Amos Leggins, Freddie Leggins, and George Leggins.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories, including her granddaughter, Melissa Boyd of Camden, her great-grandchildren, Alex and Alessia of Camden,; her two brothers, David Leggins and Robert Leggins (Patsi) of Milton; her two brothers-in-law, Bedie Badger and Tony Hinton; her beloved aunt, Hatie Bea Griffin of Vallejo, CA; and two special nieces, Cealon and Camille Moore, who were like a daughter and granddaughter to her.
Additionally, Pauline’s honorary daughters, Joan and Jean Ball, as well as her honorary grandsons, Devon, Leon, and Angel, will forever carry her memory. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many friends who were touched by her love and kindness.
As her family celebrates Pauline’s life, they want everyone to remember her enduring love for God, her unwavering devotion to family, and the joy she found in being surrounded by loved ones.
Melissa,
Sending my heartfelt love and prayers as your grandmother passed from the earthly place to her heavenly reward with Jesus.
She loved you and Alex and Alessa more than I can express and found joy in life with you.
Pauline was very special and I was richly blessed to have been her friend since Banneker days.
She will be missed by so many . She made this world a better place and loved our Lord !
Prayers and love,
Dona Sapp