Nina Marie Murray Johnson

Reflections of Nina Marie Murray Johnson Nina Marie Murray Johnson, affectionately known as “Mema”, was born on February 28, 1936 in Winchester, Kentucky to the late Jesse Davis Murray and Grace Virginia Hooten Murray. The second of seven children, Nina’s siblings include Rolland Hart-Murray (Marilyn) of Albany, Georgia; the late William Murray of Winchester, Kentucky; Mary Estese of Cincinnati, Ohio; the late Barbara Haley of Winchester, Kentucky; Juanita Lovelace of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Jessie Ann Murray of Cincinnati, Ohio. Nina also has an Aunt Maureen Hooten of Winchester, Kentucky. Nina attended elementary school in Winchester, Kentucky then later attended Hughes High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Hughes in 1954. In 1958, she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Later in her career, she went on to receive her master degree in Guidance and Counseling from George Mason University. Nina met Chester (Chet) Johnson at Central State University in 1954. They eloped on November 9, 1957, sealing their unbreakable bond and launching their wonderful adventures together. From 1957 to 2011, Nina cherished her 54 years and her worldwide journey of a lifetime with Chester. Nina enjoyed a distinguished 30-plus year career in elementary education as a teacher and a counselor. As a military wife, she taught school for the Department of Defense as well as at Public Schools wherever she and Chet were stationed throughout his prestigious military career. Nina spent the last 12 years of her career as a guidance counselor in Fairfax County where they’d been settled since 1975. She retired from service in 2001. Nina had many interests and hobbies, but her favorites were cooking, and above all, gardening. She also had the amazing ability of making those she met feel like family. Nina’s passion in life was her family: her beloved husband COL Chester Johnson (Retired), also known as “Papa”; three lovely daughters and their husbands, Deborah Johnson Beckles Screen (Phillip Screen), Judith Johnson LaReau (Kevin LaReau), and Pamela Johnson Lanham (Adrian Lanham). However, nothing filled her heart more affectionately than her five grandchildren; Brandon LaReau (19), also known as “B”, Jessica LaReau (17), Andre Screen (9), Maxwell Lanham (7), and Miles Lanham (5). Life ended peacefully on September 2, 2011. Nina leaves us with wonderful memories of her as a devoted wife, loving sister, caring mother, doting grandmother, loyal friend, and a faithful Christian. Nina also has an exhaustive list of extended family and a host of close friends that loved her dearly. __________________________________________________________________ In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Ira Dorsey scholarship Endowment Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 10371, Alexandria, VA 22310 __________________________________________________________________ Interment Ceremony for Nina Marie Murray Johnson At Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for October 5, 2011, Wednesday Family and Friends are requested to gather inside the Arlington Administration Building at 2:30 p.m. for the procession. Directions to Arlington National Cemetery: 214 McNair Road Arlington, VA 22211 (703) 607-8000‎ From Western Virginia Follow 66East to Exit 73 “Lee Highway.” Follow Lee Highway to Fort Myer Drive. Make a right on to Fort Myer Drive. Follow Fort Myer Drive, immediately after passing over a bridge make a left on route 50. Iwo Jima Memorial will be on your right side. Follow route 50 and stay in your right lane. Exit on to George Washington Parkway. Stay in your right lane. Follow Parkway until you see a sign for Arlington National Cemetery. Take exit to Arlington National Cemetery. Stay to your left. After stop sign make a left turn. Cemetery is straight ahead. From Baltimore Drive south on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or on Route 95 to the Washington Beltway. You can travel on Route 95 (eastern side of the Beltway) or travel on Route 495 (to the western side of the Beltway). If you follow Route 95, stay on the Beltway to Route 395 north (see directions from Richmond). If you follow Route 495 stay on the Beltway to the George Washington Parkway (see directions from Frederick below). From Frederick, Maryland Travel south on Route 270. Near the Washington Beltway (Route 495) the lanes will split. Stay to the right and follow the signs to Virginia. You will merge with the Beltway and continue traveling south on the Beltway. Upon crossing the American Legion Bridge (leaving Maryland and entering Virginia), get into the right lane and take the first exit (George Washington Parkway). Travel on the GW Parkway until you start going under bridges. Take the Arlington Cemetery-Memorial Bridge exit. Merge left with the traffic exiting from Route 110. At the stop sign make a left onto Memorial Drive. See directions below for Memorial Drive. From Richmond Drive north on Route 95. Near the Washington Beltway, Route 95 will merge with the Beltway-do not merge with the Beltway. Continue traveling north on Route 395 toward Washington, DC. Take Exit 8-B (Arlington National Cemetery exit). This exit is to Route 27. Stay in the left lane until reaching the circle (on the Virginia side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge). Proceed counter-clockwise around the circle to Memorial Drive, see directions below. On Memorial Drive there will be a traffic guide who will be directing all traffic into the pay parking facility. If you are here for a funeral, stay to the right on Memorial Drive and inform the traffic guard that you are here for a funeral as a guest of the Johnson Family. You will then continue on Memorial Drive, at the end of the street, turn left into the cemetery and park across the street from the Administration Building. Please arrive at 2:30 p.m. inside the building.