My great-granddaughter, Emily Anne Trebus, is Toto in The Wizard of Oz production at Snead State Community College in Boaz, AL. Her brother, Jake, is one of the Munchkins, and her mother, Melissa, is in the chorus. Melissa, who is a regular actress with The Whole Backstage little-theatre group in Guntersville, AL, is getting her children started early, and they love it. Check out Toto in the poster [at right].

Joyce O'Brien

Josephine died about 12:30 P.M. today, October 9, 2009, at the nursing home in Ocean Springs, MS.  Please keep the family in your prayers.   They are planning to have a memorial service, and the plans will be on the website as soon as they are completed.

Josephine Pierson O'Brien was the first baby born in Montgomery, Al in 1940, She was born 1 January 1940, New Years Day, shortly after midnight, while people were still singing Auld Lang Syne. The Montgomery Advertiser did a feature article on her arrival as the first child born in Montgomery in 1940.

 Josephine's mother, my sister Dot, told me she named her Pierson after me. I always accepted the fact that I shared that honor with my father's sister, my aunt Mary Larkin Johnson Brockway Pierson,  after whom I was named Pierson.

I want to let everyone know my sweet little mama, Josephine O'Brien Rountree, passed away today. She showed her strength & courage til the very end. There are not enough words to say how very proud of her I am.

As of right now, we are planning a memorial service for her on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009, at 4:00 pm with a visitation at 3:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs, MS. Scottie & I are going to the funeral home this afternoon to take care of the arrangements.

We are asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society &/or the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

Thanks for all of the prayers, cards, & visits. I cannot tell you how much they meant to Mama.

Love,
Tana, Scottie, & family

Josephine “Jo” Pierson O’Brien Rountree, age 69, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Friday, October 09, 2009 in Ocean Springs after a very courageous battle with cancer.

Josephine was the first baby born on January 1, 1940, in Montgomery, AL.Josephine retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2000 and she was very proud of her military life.

Josephine is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph N. and Dorothy J. O’Brien and by her brother, Seth Michael “Mickey” O’Brien.

Survivors include her daughter, Tana Rountree; her son, Scott Rountree; her five grandchildren, Ricky Rountree, Brandi Rountree, Jaden Rountree, Clifford Kostmayer, and Dustin Kostmayer; her sister-in-law, Joyce G. O’Brien; her sister, Neva L Brewer and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 3pm – 4pm with a memorial service immediately following, all at First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs in Ocean Springs, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the American Cancer Society and/or the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

We had a great time, food was good and AUBURN WON over Ball State!!!... It rained, but it only rained on the BALL STATE side of Jordan-Hare stadium. We really appreciated the fact that we were in the South Club since it was covered and prevented us from getting wet.

Mother had an "event" around Labor Day which put her in the hospital for about three days. The doctor on duty told me that she had a 'heart attack'. In any case she is back in Fidelia Eckerd Living Center and doing fairly well but certainly not as well as before.

She has both good and not so good days and she is still clear about most things but her time here seems to me to be ebbing away. And she is not in any pain for which I'm thankful.

Jeanne Suzanne and Tom Yancey came up to visit last week and Mother very much enjoyed their time together.

Not really sure where to start, but here it goes. Hospice has been called in to begin caring for Mama. It appears that during the last week, Mama has started to make a turn for the worse. The hospice nurse talked with Scottie & me & then spent some time with Mama. Afterwards Scottie visited with Mama & she told him that she's not afraid anymore, that the way she is living now is no way to live. She is finally at peace with things.Please keep her in your prayers, especially now as we go into the final stages of the illness.I'm sorry to say that this is the last update that I will be sending.Please just keep her in your prayers!!Love,Tana, Scottie, & family

The visitation will be Sunday [9 August 2009] from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. (4:00 family gathering) at Mulhearn Funeral Home on Highway 165 North in Monroe, LA.  The funeral will be Monday morning [10 August] at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Share this with any other family members that you can.

Mulhearn Funeral Home also has a Flower shop, which will be open after 9:00 A.M. today.  Nancy has already sent flowers, and Lindy and I are sending some this morning.  If any of you want to do so, the phone number is 1-800-442-4385.  The funeral home also has a website and condolences can be sent to the family online, www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com.

Pete Brewer, husband of Neva O'Brien Brewer, is seriously ill and in ICU in the hospital in Monroe, LA.  He has pneumonia and heart failure and is on a ventilator.  Pete was diagnosed a couple of months ago with pulmonary fibrosis, and he has serious heart problems.  Keep Pete, Neva, and their family in your prayers.

Joyce

Pete and Neva Brewer
1412 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71203

They will start radiation for the lung cancer on Monday (6th) and will have at least 20 days of it before they will do another evaluation.  We will keep you posted.  We did go to Iowa earlier for the Memorial Day weekend as Win could make it then.

The Fourth of July and the
2009 Johnson Family Reunion
THIS COMING SATURDAY!

This year, the Johnson Family Reunion (ON the Fourth of July this Saturday - how great is that!) is hosted by Aunt Katie Murphy and family. It’s almost here!

Aunt Katie’s daughter Jo Carol Tatum is very busy right now with food planning for the reunion. She sends this message...

We are ordering Boston Butts for $20 each that will be smoked, chopped and delivered the morning of the reunion.  If anyone is interested I could let Kenny know.  He has an order for 5 from our immediate family, but would be glad to do more if anyone would like to order one.Thanks,  Jo Carol Tatum,Food Service Director

Alan is retired from the military in March, 2009 after 35 years of service including 4 years of Active U.S. Air Force, 19 years in the North Dakota and Alabama Army National Guard, and 12 years in the U.S.Army Reserves. ...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
2009 Johnson Family Reunion
July 4, 2009
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hunter Hills Church of Christ
330 Old Farm Lane
Prattville, AL
-- Map & Directions --

This year's reunion is being hosted by Aunt Katie Murphy and Family. Mark your calendar now! You don't want to miss the food, fun and fellowship that we always enjoy with our Johnson Family. "We will have fun and games for everyone. Bring your favorite dish." Also, "Donations to the Seth Johnson Elementary School Library will be appreciated."

”Some activities this year include arts and crafts, face painting, huge inflatable slip and slide for the kids (so bring bathing suit and towel), and Karaoke.”

Need more information? Contact Aunt Katie:

Mrs. Katie Murphy
906 Judkins Road
Cecil, AL 36013
Phone: 334 270-9983
Email: sisterkate1927(at)att(dot)net