Minnie Ora Irene Johnson Maxwell

Minnie Ora Irene Johnson Maxwell, 97, of Big Spring, died on Monday, April 13, 2009, in a local nursing home. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Peace Chapel at Trinity Memorial Park with Rev. Walter McCall, pastor of Vincent Baptist Church, officiating.Irene, the daughter of Asa L. Fortson and Laura Cassandra Holcomb Fortson, was born in the farm house on November 22, 1911 in Brown County, Texas, a few miles south of present Brownwood. She was the first child of Asa and Laura and was followed by seven others.After a few years there, the family moved and continued to farm near Melvin, Texas, where the family were members of Melvin's Baptist Church. Irene completed school at Melvin and a year of college at Howard Payne. She returned to Melvin and taught elementary school in the Spanish speaking classes during the 1930 – 1935 era. In that time she met a young farmer, A. I. "Pat" Johnson. They were married on October 11, 1934. Pat and Irene became members of Evangelical Free Church as were many of the Swedes in that community. To this union four children were born; Robert Charles, James L., Laura Jeanette and Helen Ann. In the late 1940's, Melvin organized and built a hospital and Irene began as a nurses' aide in that hospital.The farm was sold and the family moved to Big Spring in 1951. Irene continued her nursing career and became a LVN. She worked at Medical Arts, Malone Hogan and Hall-Bennett Hospitals before joining the staff at the Veterans Hospital, from which she retired.Her husband, Pat, passed away in 1968 and she later married Garland Maxwell, a cotton farmer in the Lamesa and Ackerly area. He preceded her in death in 1981.Irene enjoyed her family, traveling and helping with the RSVP group. She enjoyed lots of time at the Senior Center playing dominoes and other games. She also enjoyed crafts, particularly crochet, and made numerous caps, afghans and wraps that she donated to RSVP. She was a member of College Baptist Church.Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Beverly Johnson of Big Spring; one son, James L. Johnson and wife, Linda of Melvin; two daughters, Laura Jeannette Holliman and husband, B. J. of Robinson and Helen Ann Ray and husband, Larry of New Braunfels; two brothers, Joe Fortson of Lubbock and Ray Fortson of Big Spring; seven grandchildren, Rob Johnson and wife, Amy of Big Spring, Shaenette Damaske and husband, Doug of Flowermound, MstSgt Jay Johnson USAF, Colorado, Nathan Johnson and wife, Kathryn of Sachse, Mark Thomasy and wife, Karen of Clifton, Darrel Thomasy and wife, Delores of Big Spring and Theressa Engel and husband, Ryan of New Braunfels; and seven great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Robert Charles Johnson; four brothers, Samuel, Otha L., Cecil, and Milton Holcomb Fortson; and one sister, Mildred Elizabeth.The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society, % Carolyn Brooks, P. O. Box 2121, Big Spring, Texas 79721-2121.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,