Larry Johnson

After high school graduation, I attended two colleges before coming back to Lipscomb to graduate in 1967. I married in December, 1967, to Gary Word, and we lived in Hinesville, Ga. where my father was a minister. In December 1969, we had Sheri; and in 1973, we had Randy. They are now 35 and 32. Gary and I divorced in June, 1998, after 30 years of marriage. Randy married Lori Kelley in September, 1998. Sheri married John Broderick in January, 2005. Grayson, my grandson, Randy’s and Lori’s son, is 5 years old, and was in PreK at Lipscomb this year. Life is so good!!

In 1972, we moved to Germany to work for a year. When we attended church the first weekend in Germany, Charlie McVey was preaching. We had no idea he was stationed there in the military. We enjoyed being with his family for a year. In 1976, we lived in Greece while Gary was in the Air Force. From 1980-1986, I taught in Germany with the Dept. of Defense. My foreign country experiences have been wonderful. I go back to Germany to see friends often. In fact in 1993, I led a tour of 80 people on a 10 day tour of Europe. I am thinking about leading a tour the summer of 2006. Anyone want to go?

My life was very transient until I started teaching at Lipscomb Elementary in 1986. I have been here for nearly 20 years. For several years I had the great opportunity be an adjunct teacher at Lipscomb University, Education Dept. I was blessed to have the daughters of Barbara Menefee and Jill Spain in my classes. I feel so blessed to have shared so many exciting experiences with children and friends. I have loved all of the traveling.

Isn’t it interesting at graduation how we anticipated our future to be and how wonderfully different it has been?

I live within one mile of Lipscomb. You are welcome to come anytime. But don't come now! See below.

I married Dwight Smith from Searcy, AR. on August 13, 2006 and will live in Searcy. Moving at my age is a really big job especially since both of us have a house full of stuff. My husband is Dwight Smith and he has been campus minister at Harding University for 25 years. Some of you may know him. We are very happy and so thrilled to have found happiness in our mature lifetime. We are living in Searcy and working with the College Church in the Visitation Ministry.