“Be happy! Today is the day you were brought into this world to be a blessing and inspiration to the people around you! You are a wonderful person! May you be given more birthdays to fulfill all of your dreams!”
Center Grove Baptist Church was filled with generations of the Johnson family as they gathered around to help Kathleen Johnson celebrate her 98th birthday. In addition to family many friends and neighbors helped revel in the love for Mrs. Kathleen.
On March 26, 1921, she came into this world and at the delightful age of 98, she is still live and kicking and enjoying the day with loved ones from all over the community.
Kathleen was married to Dot Johnson (until death do us part) and presented him with three sons: Jim Harris Johnson, Curtis Johnson and Robert. Barring any errors, they gifted their parents with eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren — a whole dynasty of Johnsons.
Helping to make this event happen were some wonderful church ladies: Jane Lewis, Lynda Tuck, Martha McMinn, Kim Moore, Lynn Head, Lorene Cox and Betty Purvis. Tuck made the beautiful birthday cake. To get the feast spread before those gathered started, Mrs. Kathleen blew out all 98 candles. LOL! No, just the number 98 on top of the beautiful cake made by Tuck, which was decorated with dogwood blooms.
Jennifer Johnson, daughter of Robert and Shelia Johnson, enlightened the group with tales from her grandmother. I especially liked the one about “Y’all don’t know nothing about hard times.” This is so true. Then there was the tale about the famous caramel cake and all those that had the recipe. She attributes that Mrs. Kathleen has served as the leader and the “ROCK” for her family.
And for all those in the community that were present when Dot and Kathleen played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus — a good memory. Last but definitely not least was the many, many years of playing the piano for the church and other functions in the community.
For everyone’s pleasure, Mrs. Kathleen played a number of songs as the crowd mingled, socialized and chowed down on the finger food prepared by the good church ladies. Ronnie McMinn blessed the precious event as all gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday” — a truly blessed occasion.
