Georgia Marie Johnson died peacefully at home with family members at her bedside in Houston Thursday, February 4, as a result of pancreatic cancer. She is the daughter of Jack Logan, and Louise Ellen (Bryan) Seyl. She was born in Hot Springs Arkansas on October 29, 1933. Known as “Cookie” in her early years, she later acquired the name, “Gigi” upon becoming a doting grandmother.
Throughout life Georgia was known for her quiet beauty and her gentle, gracious, caring personality. She radiated love for family and friends, never uttering an unkind word. Thus, to many, she was simply, “Sweet Georgia!”
She was a devoted and dedicated career teacher, primarily in middle schools in Houston, Plaquemines Parish, LA, Evanston IL, and finally Bammel Middle School in Spring, TX, where she taught Texas History for 17 years before retiring from teaching in 1992. She was designated Teacher of the Year, 1984-85. Often lamenting the decline of classic grammar education, she happily served as a resource for others. It was, “ask Gigi,” if you wanted to be grammatically correct.
Georgia loved music and singing and while in high school, she participated in The Troubadours, an award-winning choral group that toured the state. Later, while at the University of Missouri, she directed her sorority in a campus-wide singing competition.
During her high school years, she was presented as a Hot Springs 1952-53 Debutante. She was also chosen as high school Homecoming Queen and edited the yearbook. She was also a member of Delta Beta Sigma Sorority for high school girls.
While earning her BS degree in Education at M.U., class of ‘55, she began what was to become a lifetime relationship with her beloved sorority, Chi Omega. She held several offices including President, both in college and later in the Houston-North Alumnae Chapter.
After marrying Ronald Price Johnson, in 1958, she became an adoring mother to Steven Bryan in 1959 and Pamela Dian in 1960. Tragically, Pam died in 2008 from breast cancer, but according to her wishes a portion of her remains was placed in the Lake of the Ozarks. It was here where, each summer, they vacationed with their cousins at Ron’s family cottage. This annual reunion created many happy family memories with the Jack Leroy Tindle family including Jack’s wife, Carolee (Ron’s sister) and children Jeffery, Jill, and Jana. It was here that Georgia’s well-stocked first aid kit in her purse was often put to good use. In addition, family members were convinced that she could conduct a complete physical by a simple kiss to the forehead.
Georgia enjoyed several circles of friends in addition to her relatives. For many years she and Ron have traveled, cruised and partied with long-time friends made when Ron was with Shell Oil Company. In addition to her Chi Omega Alumnae sisters, she was a happy participant in informal groups of Bammel Middle School teachers, some of which still meet today. She is also a member of Raveneaux Country Club and the Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.
Perhaps, however, the most unusual group she was associated with began with five couples who formed a bond that has lasted almost forty years. The group, named the “Familia,” gathers often informally for weddings and other events, but meets every Thanksgiving without fail – even though the group has now grown to more than fifty members. Georgia once described the Thanksgiving gathering as, “A time of love, laughter and life-long friendships,” which it certainly is.
In addition to Ron, her loving husband for 58 years, Georgia is survived by her son, Steve and his wife Jennifer (Wilson) and their two children, Amanda Marie and Travis Kirtley, both in college. She is also survived by Pam’s two children, Brian Price (who is in college) and Laura Lee Dunn (a graduate of Pittsburgh University and acting as a National Consultant for Chi Omega Sorority), and their father, Charles Earl Dunn. Survivors in the Tindle family are Jeff and spouse Tammie; Jill and her spouse Roger Fergason; Jana and her spouse Bill Love. Also surviving are Georgia’s brother, Jack William Seyl and his wife, Colleen (Hale). They have four children, Scott; Adele and spouse James Leighton; Todd and spouse Gina; Rod and spouse Diedre. Georgia is also survived by 15 nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Georgia’s life at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 13, at the Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive in Houston. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Nicholson, Fred Jennings, Tony Maniscalco, Walter Hale, Tom Ryan and Jerry Terry. In lieu of flowers Georgia would be honored by donations to Texas Children’s Hospital.
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