Saturday, December 7, 2024, my beautiful Mom, Mary Elizabeth (Rushing) Johnson, finally left her painful and worn-out body behind, and she has reached her Heavenly Home.

I believe she is having a reunion in Heaven with all her loved ones, and she must be excited to meet her Savior face to face.

I loved her dearly and will miss her so very much. She was my Mother, my teacher, my basketball coach, my advisor, and my biggest fan. She was a superb and devoted Mother and she loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, Nieces, Cousins, and their families more than anything.

Mom always stood out in a crowd. She had beautiful big blue eyes, a great smile, beautiful hair, a wonderful complexion, perfect posture, and impeccable taste in fashion.

She was one of the best teachers I have ever known and the best coach I ever played for. I always knew what Mom really thought about everything. From sports to politics, Mom could discuss almost any topic. And she never "sugar coated" the "truth" as she viewed it.

Mom lived with me for several years, and when I was headed to work, she would call out for me to come into her room so she could see what I was wearing. She would often tell me I needed to go change my purse or shoes or add a scarf or another accessory.

Like it or not, she would share a little "constructive criticism" with friends and family, and sometimes even with strangers.

Mom was born January 14, 1935, the second child of Edgar Randolph Rushing and Leo Naomi Rushing. She enjoyed growing up in Joaquin, Texas, and graduated from Joaquin High School in 1952. She then attended and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University (SFA), receiving a B.S. Degree in Education in 1955. Mom went back and obtained her Master's Degree at SFA in 1967. While in college, she was a Pine Burr (Chi Omega), a cheerleader, and active in several clubs and Intramural Sports. She truly enjoyed her College days at SFA where she obtained more than just an excellent education, she also formed many lifelong friendships.

When she returned to SFA for her Master's Degree in 1965, she received the news that her husband (Major Taylor Douglas Johnson who was also from Joaquin) had been killed in Vietnam.

She picked up the pieces of her shattered life when my Dad was killed in Vietnam, as she fought through her grief and focused intensely on her three children—ages 4, 5, and 9. Later in life she continued her education, earning 30 more hours toward another degree.

She taught school in Texas City, Carthage, and Joaquin, Texas, and in Shreveport, Louisiana.

She was a fiscal and political conservative, and member of Joaquin First Baptist Church.

During her life she traveled the world, visiting many countries. Her love of traveling started as a child when she and her big Sister (Margaret Ann) would go with their Mother (Leo Naomi Rushing) on trips, it grew when she worked as a TWA stewardess right after college, then it truly blossomed into an enjoyable pastime as she traveled abroad with her husband and children to military bases abroad and across the United States.

Later in life she continued her passion for traveling with her best friend and big sister Margaret Ann. They cruised the high seas and flew to far away destinations, laughing and enjoying every moment together. Their bond was a wonderful testament to the true meaning of "the bonds of sisterhood."

Mom was pretty tough although her exterior appearance may have looked frail. She was a feisty and fierce competitor in anything she tackled. She enjoyed playing all kinds of games, but her favorite was ACBL Bridge. She was a Gold Life Master and until her health declined, she enjoyed competitive Bridge at the Bridge Studio in Beaumont, Texas, and before that in Shreveport, Louisiana. She often replayed each hand after each game, going over it either in her head or on the phone with her partners. Perhaps a bit of a perfectionist, she wanted to study what happened and think about what could have been done differently, always trying not to make the same mistake the next time she played.

She fought and won her battle with Breast Cancer and then Kidney Cancer. She survived heart attacks, strokes, lived with three types of arthritis, joints that were worn and torn, had many surgeries and other ailments, and finally lost her battle with Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure.

I will miss too many things to list about my Mom. I will miss having her tell me to put on different shoes or earrings, or to put on makeup, as I walked out the door for work. I will miss her yelling at the Dallas Cowboys and watching all her favorite game shows. But, most of all I will miss Mom's presence, beauty and grace, and simply spending time with her.

She was a Lady who always shared her opinions with honesty and conviction.

Rather than mourn her passing (which I will do for a very long time) I shall do my best to remember the lessons and advice she shared, and take comfort in knowing that she has no more pain and has taken her final cruise and reached her final destination —Heaven—where she is filled with joy and love.

She is survived by her three children, Suzanne Baggett (Gary Beckett Significant-Other) of Shreveport, Louisiana, Taylor David Johnson (spouse Lynette Johnson) of Cary, North Carolina, and Leanne Johnson of Beaumont, Texas; her grandchildren, Samantha Baggett Brantley of Bossier City, Louisiana, James Ryan Johnson of Illinois (spouse Letitia Johnson), Christy Johnson Baclawski (spouse James Baclawski) of Darien, CT, and Allie Johnson (spouse Matt Kirkland) of Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren Trenton Brantley, Kylea Brantley, Jordan Baggett, Ethan Baggett, EverLea Johnson, Maverick Johnson, and Taylor Baclawski; nieces Gari Martin and Mary Foisy; great nieces Jennifer 'Martin' Crain and Ashley Olds, and great nephews Jeffery Martin and Brian Olds; many cousins including but not limited to Fran Harris-Weimer and Cindy Garrity, and Harry and Lajaunda Gebauer Williams, Sue Williams, Angela Williams Scrimpshire, and Jerry Williams Jr. and family; and numerous friends. (If I have failed to list any family members, please forgive me as it has been a while since I slept).

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Paul Silvey officiating and music by Mark Lawrence. Interment will be at Joaquin Cemetery in Joaquin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or First Baptist Church in Joaquin, 100 Connell Ferry Road, Joaquin, TX 75954.