The Johnson Girls – as the sisters were known in their youth – were all together recently for the first time in a few years.
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While three of them live in Gallatin and have resided in Daviess County all their lives, the youngest has lived in the Kansas City area most of her adult life. Their get-togethers have become more infrequent since they are now all in their 90s.
Pictured standing are Nina Clevenger, the eldest at 98, and Viva Houghton. Seated are Frances Wynne and Lucy Manning, the youngest at 93.
Three of them still live independently in their own homes and Nina and Viva still drive, although mostly around town and once in a while as far as Cameron.
The girls were raised on a farm northeast of town, the daughters of Charles and Ruby (Adams) Johnson. They attended the Johnson country school in their early years and graduated from Gallatin High School.
All four joined the Gallatin First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1935, and the three local women have retained membership there for almost 77 years. They have attended services regularly as health and circumstances permit.
The nonagenarian sisters have seen countless social, political, economic and personal changes in their lifetimes. They have outlived their husbands, some of their children, and many friends. But the indomitable spirit that was nurtured growing up on a Midwest farm during the Great Depression endures.