A Tribute to Grandma Alice Johnson

(Written by Justin) 

For almost seven years after the passing of my Grandpa, my Grandma lived by herself. In her late 80s she was still driving, cooking, and enjoying time with her kids and grandkids. In 2007, she had an accident that resulted in a broken back. My parents took her in and nursed her back to health. Fearing another accident would occur she made the decision to move to an assisted living center. I remember those first few years of being at “Independence Village” she was determined to always take the stairs to her third floor room. She also wrote letters regularly and tried her best to remember all fifteen of her grandchildren’s birthdays. In time, health problems arose. Her eyesight began to decline after developing an eye infection. She also fought through another broken bone – her wrist. Though other aspects of her health were declining, her faith and her mind (for the most part) remained steady and consistent.

On June 2nd, I received a phone call from my mom that Grandma had a stroke while playing cards (one of her favorite activities). She laid in the hospital bed for a day or two with no signs of improvement, then one morning she seemed to show signs that she was getting better. However, by the end of the day it was obvious that her time on earth was coming to an end. I was able to talk to her that night as Jeff held the phone to her ear. I told her I loved her and that she had been a wonderful Grandma. I thanked her for everything she had done for me. Although she couldn’t speak clearly, I could tell that she knew I loved her and I knew that she was trying to tell me the same. Early on June 9th she passed away, and was reunited with Grandpa!

As I thought about it, I couldn’t think of a more perfect ending to her life. Just a few weeks prior Jordan had returned home from his mission and a third of her Grandkids were in town to visit. Her loved ones were able to say their goodbyes during the week she was in the hospital before her passing. Maybe best of all, her passing brought together all of her children (3)

(from left to right: Mary (oldest daughter) Bill (youngest child) and Ginger (middle child)

 and grandchildren (15), 

(The boy cousins:  Daniel Allen, Paul Allen, Ryan Gooch, Jeremy, Jeffrey, Jordan, and Justin)

and 10 1/2 of 19 1/2 great-grandchildren (#20 came just months later). Her funeral weekend became a family reunion. For the first time in 21years (and only the second time ever) all fifteen grandchildren were together. Perhaps it will be the last until we are all reunited with Grandma and Grandpa on the other side.