My Journey

No One Can Tell M Story Like I Can

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day— and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Let me tell you about my journey.  It all started on Wednesday, March 5, 1924 in Center, Texas when my mom and dad announced to their family, community, and world that I was here!  My parents, Enoch and Lucy Casey, were blessed to have fifteen of us.  Yes, I grew up with a lot of kids around me, eleven to be exact as three of my brothers transitioned at birth.

My siblings and I went to school in Center, Texas and I graduated from high school there in Center.  My parents were hard workers and did what was necessary to take care of us.  Although they were strict and ‘didn’t play’ they loved us and did what they felt was necessary to protect us.  As a matter of fact, I was eighteen years old before I was allowed to go to the movies for my first time. 

It was around that time that one of my sister’s friends introduced me to this young gentleman caller, O. B. Johnson.  O. B. recently returned from serving in the United States Armed Forces.  He was a military man who looked nice and caught my eye.  We didn’t have a long courtship.  O. B. asked me to marry him and I was happy to do so.  On Monday, January 21, 1946 I became Mrs. Hazel Johnson.  God blessed O. B. and me to have a good life.  We relocated here to Bay City, Texas where we raised our three children.

I was determined to instill my values in my children.  I wanted all of them to be good, God-fearing people who took care of themselves and others.  I encouraged them to forgive others and always see the good in people.  I wanted them to realize that everything was not going to be perfect and you cannot fix everything, but they should always do their best.  Never to look down your nose on others and if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.  Some of my offspring got this one and some are progressively working on it.  I taught them to always give people good advice as I tried to do.  I wanted them to be loving and generous like I am.  If someone is hungry – feed them!   My kids grew up watching me do just that… there were times when people would walk off the street and I would not hesitate to fix them a plate.  I loved to cook.  It was commonplace for me to make turkey and dressing, cauliflower with a cheese sauce and other dishes.  My goal was to make sure my dishes looked good and tasted good.  I really loved to bake.  I could whip up a German chocolate, sour cream, sock-it-to-me, or butter pound cake in a heartbeat.  I could also make a mean chocolate, lemon meringue, egg custard or buttermilk pie.  I found joy in cooking for and serving others at Enterprise Baptist Church where I was over the Pastor’s Aide, and was a member of Mission #1, Mission #2, and the Pointerettes Singing Group. I’m not bragging, but it made me smile when I would cook for the church and some of the ladies would put my cakes and pies back as they were serving to make sure that there was some left for them.

I told my children to always keep themselves together and look ‘picture-ready’ when they walked out the house.  Even when I was going to work at Cherry Elementary School, McAllister Jr. High School  or up to the point where I retired from Tenie Holmes Elementary School, when I walked out of my house with my white uniform on I made sure that I looked presentable.  I remember once when Kay was growing up, she complained that the other kids were looking at her… I told her to give them something to look at!  Be picture ready when you leave the house.  There were good times and challenging times like everybody has, but God kept us through it all.

God blessed me to live for 96 years!  Although I was tired, I’m thankful for a good life and that I still had a strong will.  In my last days before transitioning I determined that I was ready to take my flight.  I stopped eating and wouldn’t allow my caregivers to feed me although they really wanted me to eat.  My caregivers were determined to take good care of me.  It took around two weeks, but I made it.  It is Wednesday, August 26, 2020, and I’m finally home now, Halleluiah!  I have left behind to carry on and uphold my legacy my son, Jimmy Ray Johnson, Sr., my daughter, Kay Lee Johnson Hawkins, my son-in-law of twenty years, Johnny Hawkins, five grandchildren, and a host of great-grands and great great-grands, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as other relatives, friends, church members and loved-ones.

WOW, WHAT A REUNION!  My first-born, Audrey Beatrice was at Heaven’s Gate waiting for me.  My parents, Enoch and Lucy Casey, along with of my sisters and brothers: M. T. Casey, Elizabeth Casey Murray, Cleven Casey, Inez Casey Blanton, Margaret Casey Jackson, Lucille Casey Garrett, Nettie Mae Casey Gardner, Enoch Casey, Jr., Preston Casey, LeRoy Casey, and Oscar D. Casey made their earthly exit before me.  We have all received the promise of the Glory of God.  Until we meet again… To my family: Remember l always loved you…. and still do!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hazel Mae Elizabeth (Casey) Johnson, please visit our floral store.