Johnnie Wilson: A Death In The Family

Yesterday, we had a death in the family.

Well, not exactly family. But family just the same.

Johnnie Wilson, a long-time teacher at Loflin School - and one of my Mother's best friends passed away yesterday at Clapp's Nursing Home. She was 81. Arrangements are being made through Ridge Funeral Home and, as of this writing, are incomplete.

Mama had been managing Johnnie's affairs for quite a while. You see, Johnnie had that insidious, despicable, evil disease called Alzheimer's.

It is a disease that I'm certain would have felled Daddy . . . had something else not gotten him first . . . four years ago today.

Johnnie was a pistol . . . a loud, sometimes delightfully obnoxious, boisterous lady full of life. When she laughed, you could not help but smile. And when she wasn't happy, you needed to get the hell out of her way . . . quickly and quietly. Alzheimer's reduced this magnificent creature to a crumpled shell. And it was painful to watch.

I hate that damned disease. I really do.

We knew the end was near. On her Sunday visit yesterday, Mama (the one person Johnnie recognized pretty much to the very end) sat with her old friend and sang to her. Johnnie gesticulated and tried to sing along. But even the mechanics of moving her mouth were difficult. It pretty much broke Mama's heart.

Johnnie had a daughter, Mary. And a long-time companion, Hugh. I pray that the angels visit comfort upon them this week . . .

. . . and that those same angels hover close to my Mama.