Mildred Madalyn Johnson

A shy, pretty girl from East Texas

Religious and restless

Humble and kind as a person could be

She loved to sing in the choir

Loud and inspired

Her head tilted down, keeping time

Or tell stories with friends after supper

Ignoring the hour

A calico cat fast asleep at her side

And she loved to drive

Her big red car

Though she couldn't see over

The hood very far

She'd back out the driveway

And point that thing down the road

We'd say, Lord, there she goes

Her hair was silver and messy

She walked in a hurry

Worried about wasting the day

Some nights she sat at her dresser

Composing long letters

Falling asleep with a pen in her hand

And she loved to drive

Her big red car

A scarf round her shoulders

Her foot to the floor

Down to the grocery

She'd wave good-bye

And we'd pray

Lord, bring her back safe.

And she loved to drive

Her big red car

Though she couldn't see over

The hood very far

She'd back out the driveway

And point that thing down the road

We'd say, Lord, there she goes

Mildred Madalyn Johnson

Marvelous woman

I was so lucky

To call her my friend