Who’s Who in the Letters

Alice was David’s aunt, the youngest of his mother’s six siblings. In 1945 she was still married to Frank Applebee, an art teacher at Alabama Polytecnic Institute (now known as Auburn University), whom she would later divorce; she would never remarry, but remained a beloved figure in the Johnson clan until her death.

Dad, or W.D. Johnson, Sr. to the world, was 58 at the time of David’s death and a furniture salesman in Montgomery. He was known to his grandchildren, even then, as Papa-J, a sobriquet that would be picked up by Rip’s children in the 1950’s and remain with him until his death in 1974 at the age of 87.

Dixie was David’s senior maternal aunt, the oldest of seven children in the William Louis Macey household. She was a librarian by training, an eccentric by nature, and was beloved by her nephews and their children.

Elizabeth was the third girl of the Macey clan, and David’s middle aunt. Somewhat aloof in nature, even then, she distanced herself from the ongoing soap opera of the Macey girls and married Douglas Diggs who whisked her off  to Virginia.

Frank was Alice’s husband, Frank Applebee.

Grandma, or Martha Savage Macey, David’s maternal grandmother, would have been almost 90 in 1945.

Jess was Macey’s wife, Jesslyn Talley Johnson of Decatur, GA. After attending Agnes Scott College, she married Macey in 1934 and together they raised their two children, Macey and Jesslyn, known to all as Lynn. Jesslyn called Mobile, AL home until 2003, when she moved to Hendersonville, NC to live with her daughter Lynn.

Julie, or Julia Ruth Johnson Askew, was, and is, David’s only child; although she had just turned six that April and claims few memories of her father, his prolonged absence at such a tender age must have been difficult to reconcile. Julie would marry James Askew of Alexander City, AL, raise a daughter, and become a highly respected teacher in the field of Computer Science at Woodward Academy in College Park, GA. She retired from that profession in 2004, but still calls College Park home. Her daughter Ann lives in Rye, NY and has blessed Julie with three beautiful grandchildren ~ Sarah, Leah, and David, the youngest, who is named after his grandfather.  Julie visits often and enjoys her grandchildren immensely.

Louise ~ Louise McManus Johnson, David’s bride.  Louise and David were married on July 18, 1936 in Montgomery, AL.  In his work as an insurance adjuster they lived in Jacksonville, AL; Richmond, VA; and Birmingham, AL; in 1939 their daughter Julie was born.  When David entered the army, Louise moved with Julie to Montgomery to live with her parents and down the street from his parents.  After his death Louise remained in Montgomery working for the State  of Alabama, raising her daughter, looking after her parents and in-laws, pursuing her creative talents, and enjoying her many devoted friends and family.  She died in 1975 at the age of 62.

Macey, Seaborn Macey Johnson, was David’s younger brother by two years; he was the last to be drafted and served in an anti-aircraft battalion of Patton’s 3rd. Army. He returned to his family and civilian life in the late fall of 1945, where he continued a career in the insurance field. He died in 1988 at the age of 76.

Mom,  Ruth Buckner Macey Johnson, was also 58 in the spring of 1945. She too had a nick-name with her grandchildren even then: Mom-Mom. They were, and will forever be Mom-Mom and Papa -J to us grandkids. She would move from Montgomery to Atlanta in 1975 after Papa-J’s death, where she would live until her own passing three years later at the age of 90.

Rip, Richard Hardin Johnson, was David’s youngest brother and had been in England serving in the Eighth Air Force since the fall of 1942. Rip went on to become a doctor and to move to Atlanta, GA, where he raised two families and practiced medicine for 40 years.  In 2008, Rip visited his granddaughter’s school to talk about World War II. He talks about David at 27 minutes into this video.  Rip passed away in January, 2010 at the age of 89. The elder of his two sons was named for David and performed the loving task of preserving his uncle’s letters.