In Memoriam.
Words From a Friend on the Death of Mrs. Abda Johnson.

On the morning of January 23rd, 1907, the “ebon-winged angel” cast a shadow on the face of Mrs. Frances Trippe Johnson, of Cartersville, Ga., and she exchanged the crown of love and service which she had won on earth for a crown of righteousness in Heaven.  She was the daughter of Judge Turner H. Trippe, of Clarksville, Habersham county, born June 1st, 1832.  During her childhood, her parents moved to Bartow county and she attended the Charles Wallace Howard school, near Kingston, Ga.  Of wealthy, aristocratic parentage her educational and social advantage were the finest the country afforded; and she became the possessor of that refining grace and culture which redeem “Beauty from insipidity, intellect from hardness and goodness from narrowness.”

She was married in 1852 to Col. Abda Johnson, a man even then talented to no ordinary degree, who developed rare legal ability and at the time of his death was not only one of the finest judges of law the state had ever produced, but his reputation had extended far beyond her borders.  She was the mother of the late young, but brilliant and gifted, Albert Sidney Johnson, Mrs. L. J. Bradley, Mrs. John W. Akin, Mrs. M. L. Johnson and George S. Johnson.

So bright and happy was her nature, that even as a little girl she was fittingly and affectionately called “Sunshine” by her youthful friends and companions and from her sweet, sympathetic spirit many were the lessons learned by them in kindness, gentleness and happiness.

For generations her ancestors were Methodists, hence, her life was shaped, yea, molded, in a Christian home and in the Sabbath school; while young she connected herself with the church and lent her influence for the advancement of the Master’s Kingdom.  She was pre-eminently a woman of faith and her life was pure, noble and good as her trust in God was strong.  There were for her no dark days without hope, for through the gloom and shadows of earth’s trials, troubles and sorrows she looked upon the bright and happy beyond, with that Christian philosophy and resignation which know,
“The heart would have no rainbow
Had the eyes no tears.”

God was her refuge and strength; in loving dependence she leaned on His everlasting arms.  A life rich in good deeds, significant of warm sympathies and tireless offices of the Christian friend; but the world in which she sought her honor, as well as found her duties, was home; beyond this sacred precinct her ambition never extended.  Within its hallowed domain was room enough and occasion enough to employ the ceaseless devotion of the wife and mother.  The wealth of love and admiration bestowed upon her by scores of friends and loved ones was truly and beautifully attested in the number and exquisite loveliness of the floral offerings which wreathed her casket and covered her grave.

May the memory of her blessed, faithful, Christian life ever be an inspiration to her surviving children—whose gentle, tender, loving ministrations were her comfort and delight in life and solace in death – to make each day a season of preparation for a meeting with her within the heavenly portals.

“For death his sacred seal hath set
On bright and by-gone hours;
And they we mourn are with us yet
Are more than ever ours.

Ours by pledge of love and faith
By hopes of heaven on high
By trust, triumphant over death
In immortality.:”
Friend.

[A tribute to Frances T. Johnson by the Daughters of Confederacy can be found on page 1 of the March 28, 1907 issue of this paper.]