Three-day reunion brings blessings amid mourning
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Union Square News
Ruby Johnson
Patsy Johnston’s daughter, Teresa.
Last week I wrote there wasn’t much going on in Union Square. However, this week there is much mourning and tears being shed in Union Square.
Mrs. Patsy Johnston lost her daughter, Teresa Johnston-Knight, and Ruby Johnson lost her niece Kimberly Hill. However, we will not lose heart. God is still God, and He is still good, the only one who is good!
Patsy and I are holding hands and hearts together. We know it is not easy losing a child. I lost my daughter, Janice, some years ago, and Patsy was always in my corner. When I would visit her, we talked a lot about my daughter. She always encouraged me to be strong and don’t lose heart. Now it’s my time to encourage her to keep the faith, don’t lose heart, and trust God to bring you through this painful time.
Teresa was Patsy’s only girl, along with two boys. Janice was my only girl, along with two boys. It’s funny all of her children’s names begin with a “T,” and all of mine begin with a “J,” unaware of this until Janice passed.
Patsy and I are very connected in many ways. I always tell her that I want to be like her when I grow up. She is years older than me, and I respect her as a mother. I love her. She feeds my ego (smile). She gives me wisdom from God, and I treasure it. She is a strong lady.
She is the wife of (deceased) husband, Ray (Demp) Johnston. Union Square loves her and her family, especially her sister, Lena Johnston. Our condolences and prayers are with the family; Teresa’s husband, Woody; her sons, Randy and Keith; and grandchildren.
Labor Day weekend was great despite the mourning and tears. There were some happy tears shed at the Burton’s reunion.
Butch and I attended two days of the Burton’s family reunion, which included the Goggans, Belyeus, Tucks, and others. The Belyeus hosted it this year and did an awesome job; three days of God’s blessings were demonstrative.
The “meet and greet” was held Friday night, and an inside picnic was held Saturday at the Joe N. Belyeu Gymnasium at Central High School. We missed it because of death in the family. Sunday was worship service at Paradise Mission Full Gospel Church in Goodwater, where Minister Joey Belyeu is pastor.
Farewell lunch immediately followed church service at the Goodwater Community Center. Worship moment was so great that Pastor Belyeu was so full that his preaching exploded. He preached from I Kings 8:22 on the promise of God, a sincere prayer life and how our ancestors prayed for us. It was a wonderful family reunion message, straight from God and very powerful.
This reunion brought joy to many. I saw loved ones, classmates and friends I have not seen in years. Emmit Burton is one I hadn’t seen since I left high school. He and my Butch have the same pet/nickname (Butch). They got a big laugh out of that when I introduced them to each other.
I was happy to see my friend/classmate Helen Burton. It’s always good seeing our beloved Justin Tuck. The missing part of the reunion was his dad, Jimmy Tuck, not being present. Everyone loves Jimmy, and we miss him. He was always a special part of any family gathering.
Happy birthday to all September born, Brenda Davis, Joe Belyeu, and Bonnie Abrams.
Let us pray for our country, churches and families.
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” – Dolly Parton
“To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
Call Ruby at 256-935-1330 to spread your good news.
