Louise Johnson
Louise Johnson was a strong-willed woman who married three times within her lifetime. Although we cannot be sure that this is truly how her life went. Her name is quite common, which made our job of getting her life story very difficult. The documents that we based our research on may belong to different women. The only document that we are sure belongs to the true Louise Johnson is her obituary. Ms. Johnson was born somewhere in Alabama on May 23, 1904, and died in Birmingham on March 20, 1955. She had 7 foster siblings and her foster mother was Annie Foster. Louise’s grave currently resides in Baptist Hill. Possibly, her biological parents Jo Williams and Witelessa Williams were educated farm laborers, and while Ms. Johnson never got an education, she was taught to read and write from her parents. Ms. Johnson got married for the first time on March 24, 1923, when she was just 19 years old. We can assume that her marriage with Charlie Broden was not an entirely happy one as she married Jim Jackson on January 24, 1928, less than 5 years later. It is unknown exactly when she divorced Mr. Broden or if she had any children with him. It is also unknown on if he died or not. Ms. Louise Johnson worked as a cook at a café in 1930. Ms. Louise later married Henry Nells. It is unknown exactly when she divorced Mr. Bod or when she married Mr. Henry other than the fact it was between 1930 and 1940. It can also be assumed that Ms. Johnson was proud of her family as she kept her last name for all 3 of her marriages, while Mr. Nells also ended up taking on the last name Johnson, becoming Henry Johnson. Ms. Johnson had no children of her own but took care of Mr. Henry’s descendants; her now, stepson Andrew Nells, granddaughter-in-law Millie B Nells, and step-grandchild Matt Nells.
Contributed by Gates and Aaron from Auburn High School
Sources:
1910 Federal Census
1923 Marriage
1928 Marriage
1930 Federal Census
1940 Federal Census
1955 Death
Headstone
1955 Obituary
1910 Federal Census
1923 Marriage
1928 Marriage
1930 Federal Census
1940 Federal Census
1955 Death
Headstone
1955 Obituary