Margaret Johnson

01. Jan, 2011 0 Comments

Margaret, “Mom”, “Mammie” Johnson was born November 13, 1916 in Waco to German immigrants, Carl and Anna Heussner. She went to be with Jesus December 30, 2010. Visitation will be held Monday, January 3^rd from 5-7 p.m. at Pecan Grove Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, January 4^th at 3:00 p.m. at New Road Church of Christ with Minister Brian Gochenour officiating.

Margaret loved the Lord, she was a true Southern Lady and her family was the love of her life. She had a sweet, loving spirit and a beautiful smile. Margaret was married to Jack Johnson for 56 years, he proceeded her in 1991. She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Bill and Peggy Johnson. Granddaughters and their husbands; Sherri and Bob McDonald, Shawn and Kelly Brown, Gayla and Doug Dwyer, and Kellie and Tony Cashion. Great Grandchildren; Brittani Johnson, Shanna, Kody, and Jacob Brown, Kevin and Erica McDonald, Jason Marshall, Kasidy and Falyn Scott, Ryan Dwyer, Matt Walker, Brady Cashion and her very special friend and caregiver Archie Mae Shaw.

Margaret was Co-founder and Matriarch of Johnson Roofing and JMB Appaloosa Ranch. These very successful businesses and their subsidiaries are a testament to her business savvy and her servant heart. Beginning in the 1930’s with a grocery store on 3^rd and Speight, many a child and family of varying cultures were fed during the depression thanks to she and Jack. Each morning before dawn, Margaret and Jack would ride horses to the store and prepare sandwiches for the cotton pickers who would return and pay for their lunch at the end of the day.

Margaret was a giver, teacher, creator and above all an example of what a Christian wife, mother, grandmother and friend should be. Many were fed from her table and there was always room for one more. One exception was when the pet monkey got out of his pen and into the house and onto the Thanksgiving table!

In 1952, at the 2^nd National Appaloosa Horse Show in Deer Lodge, Montana, Margaret, Jack and Bill acquired and then brought the first Registered Appaloosas to Texas. From there they built the largest herd of Registered Appaloosas in the world and built JMB Appaloosa Ranch and the Johnson Horse Auctions which became host to some of the largest Registered Appaloosa sales in the world. The family campaigned the Appaloosas successfully all across the U.S. and at one time were victorious in winning more National Awards than anyone else. Every other Tuesday night for 36 years, Johnson Horse Auction was host to consignments of all kinds and horses of all breeds. Margaret collected the money and kept things straight with all those horse traders. They loved her, and nicknamed her “Hollywood” as she was a beautiful lady inside and out. The sales finally ended when Jack became ill.

During her later years, her greatest joy was going to church and out to eat with her family. She also loved having the Ft. Hood soldiers come out to the Ranch for parties along with hosting the riding school for kids. No grass grew under her feet as she had a long, productive life serving the Lord and others in word and deed. Stewardship of the many blessings from the Lord, was the foundation of her legacy. The fruits of her labor will endure for many years as she is now in heaven doing the two-step with Jack excitedly waiting on her family to arrive.