Mabel Johnson (center) is surrounded by her children (from left) Lynda Gresham, Carole Murphy, Ernest Johnson, Arvid Johnson and Emilie Waters, at her birthday celebration. Mabel Ware Johnson was honored on her 95th birthday at a family gathering and celebration Saturday, February 27. Festivities were hosted by her children, Bob and Carole Johnson Murphy of Bishop; Johnny and Lynda Johnson Gresham and Ernest and Marilyn Johnson of Marietta; and Mark and Emilie Johnson Waters and Arvid Johnson of Washington in the Mary Callaway Burton Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church.

Mrs. Johnson’s birthday was February 17.

She was presented a beautiful corsage of miniature carnations and fern from her daughter, Mrs. Waters.

As everyone gathered in the fellowship hall, they signed a register at a table covered in a white cutwork cloth and decorated with a bouquet of purple tulips, a gift from her son and family, Ernest and Marilyn Johnson. A cluster of balloons and a large butterfly balloon also enhanced the area.

A long table featured two exquisite arrangements in shades of pink that included roses, Gerbera daisies, Alstroemeria lilies, shell pink lilies, miniature carnations and delicate berries sent by Mrs. Johnson’s niece, Claudia Zibanejadra of Roswell. Also on this table covered in Army-Navy cloths was a birthday sheet cake in pink and white and the inscription, “Happy Birthday Mama.” Enjoyed with the cake were cheese straws, chicken salad in timbales, assorted nuts, hand-decorated mints, friendship bread, punch and coffee.

While many in the family spent the afternoon visiting, others enjoyed the memorabilia table that featured a large assortment of pictures that included a special picture of Mrs. Johnson’s mother, Mabel Lewis Ware, as well as one of the guest of honor. Many more pictures showcased her and her husband, James, in earlier years, the children and lots of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Albums of the Johnson family and Mrs. Johnson’s autograph book from her high school years brought much interest.

A time of fellowship and entertainment was also enjoyed as everyone gathered around in a circle to hear much about the family from their matriarch. A delight of the afternoon was a mini-concert given by Mrs. Johnson’s great-grandchildren, Camryn Johns, Jaclyn Johns, Kaye Lynn Gresham and Reagan Murphy, piano students of Mrs. Johnson’s granddaughter, Suzanne Murphy Oliver. Not to be outdone by his cousins, great-grandson, Nate Murphy. played “Chopsticks” with his grandmother, Carole Murphy. Also entertaining during the afternoon were Mrs. Johnson’s niece and her husband, Tony, and Ann Verran Swain of Sarasota, Fla., at the piano and clarinet. Other musical selections included a trio by Mrs. Johnson’s daughters of “Sweet, Sweet Spirit,” accompanied by Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Swain accompanied Mrs. Johnson as she sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Angela Abadie also sang a solo.

Celebrating the event with Mrs. Johnson and the hosts were grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Suzanne Murphy Oliver and Elizabeth of Roswell; Nathan and Cindy Murphy, Reagan and Nate, of Watkinsville; Will and Lynn Johns, Morgan, Camryn and Jaclyn, Rhonda Gresham and Kaye Lynn, and Sarah Johnson, all of Marietta; Angela Waters Abadie of Wilmington, N.C.; nieces and nephews, Tony and Ann Verran Swain of Sarasota, Fla.; Sandy and Libby Chancellor Sanzero of Albuquerque, N. Mex., Claire Brooks of North Augusta, S. C., Mary Jane Chancellor of Augusta, Reba English Scott and daughter, Carol Winstead, of Trustville, Ala., Thomas Julian and Nancy Johnson of Jonas Ridge, N.C., Gary and Phyllis Johnson Beck of Duluth, Vohammie Johnson Payne of Arden, N. C., and Michael and Lillian Johnson Hall and Claire Johnson of Hendersonville, N.C. Special guests attending included Sara Steed Gresham, Rosalyn Adams and Priscilla Maxwell and daughter, Mary Jane Scarborough, of Washington. Also attending were family friends, Michael Shirley of Roswell and Chris Rome of Hendersonville, N.C.

On Friday evening, many of the family in Washington enjoyed dinner at Country Kitchen and on Saturday evening, those still visiting extended the birthday celebration with dinner at LaCabana.

On Mrs. Johnson’s birthday she was honored during the Wednesday night prayer service at First Baptist with a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday.” In honor of the event she shared a delicious strawberry cake, made by daughter, Emilie Waters, with all those attending. Her place was marked by a beautiful bouquet of roses and balloons from her daughter, Carole Murphy. Other family present were Lynda Johnson Gresham and Mark Waters.