Yvonne Girty Johnson
Obituary for Yvonne (Girty) Johnson
(ALA Unit 133, Braggs, Oklahoma – Unit President)
Yvonne (Girty) Johnson, 76, of Braggs, was born 2nd of a pair of identical twins on October 27, 1945, in Webbers Falls, to Martin and Viola Mae (Clairday) Girty and peacefully passed away at her home Wednesday, September 14, 2022, with her loving family by her side.
She grew up on a farm south of Webbers Falls, and attended school at Neff, Webbers Falls and Chilocco Indian School, graduating in 1964. On September 1, 1967, she married the love of her life, JD Johnson, who preceded her in death in 2017. To this union a daughter was born, Sherri Lea.
Yvonne worked for Corning Glass, W.W. Hasting Hospital and after becoming a Medic, she went to work for Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services on May 23, 1990, and retired on December 31, 2008, after many years of service. She enjoyed her time working for EMS, her church, her family and watching Conner, Kourtnee and Logan play ball. Yvonne attended Light House Tabernacle Church, Emmanuel Church and was a present member of Masters Call Cowboy Church. She was a faithful, dedicated member and a prayer warrior.
She was preceded in death by her husband, JD Johnson; parents, Martin and Viola Girty; brothers, Vernon Lee Girty and Thomas Martin Girty; sister, Uvon Girty; nephew, Kelly Lin Girty; and niece, Debora Lea Neely Delaney. Yvonne is lovingly survived by her daughter, Sherri Lea Johnson of McAlester; grandsons, Conner Ashton Anderson and wife, Lauren of Edmond and Logan Alan Anderson of McAlester; granddaughter, Kourtnee Lea Beshears and husband, Wyatt of McAlester; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Layne Anderson, Sydnee Konner Jane Anderson, Lennox O’Dell Beshears and Landry J. Beshears; sisters, Jeanne Neely and husband, Bob of Barling, AR; Avonne Martin and husband, Dale of Webbers Falls; and Barbara (B.J.) Hamilton of Webbers Falls; nieces, Shannon Carter, Tammy Howell, Lauren Barnes and Shelby Nichols; extended family member, Melissa Pierce; special family, Staci Martin and her children, Anthony, Graci, Gunner, Ruger and Reagan; also her true soul mate and running partner, J.C. Dotson; members of Masters Call Cowboy Church; other extended family members and many friends.
A visitation with family receiving friends will be held 5PM-7PM Monday, September 19, 2022, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home 1224 E Poplar St, Fort Gibson, OK 74434.
A celebration of Yvonne’s life will be held 12:30PM Tuesday, September 20, 2022, in the Chapel at Camp Gruber in Braggs, with Pastor Danny Doolin officiating. A valid photo identification card must be presented to enter the grounds of Camp Gruber. Conner Anderson, Logan Anderson, Wyatt Beshears, Colton Carter, Colby Carter and Cody Barnes will serve as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers are T.J. Nichols, Jeremy Martin, Brian Carter, Cody Carter and Austin Howell. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery at 2:30PM.
Yvonne’s family would like to thank Lindsey Dillard and the Hospice of the Cherokee for her exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, Yvonne’s family request memorial contributions in her name to American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.
The family of Yvonne (Girty) Johnson has entrusted her care, service and burial to Clifford D Garre tt Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Yvonne (Girty) Johnson please visit Cifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home Sympathy Store, https://www.clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com/obituaries/Yvonne-Johnson-22/#!/Obituary.
2022 ALA Southern Division Unit Member of Oklahoma
Congrats, Cindy Bullock, Unit 153, Wagoner, OK!!! She is the 2022 American Legion Auxiliary Southern Division Unit Member of the Year for Oklahoma. Southern Division will forward her nomination to National representing Oklahoma. Good luck, Cindy!!!
Jack C. Mongomery Hospital Muskogee, OK
VA Hospital In Muskogee To Remain Open After
Petition Collects Thousands Of Signatures
Wednesday, June 29th 2022, 9:08 pm
By: McKenzie Gladney
Veterans said that decision might be the greatest thing that’s happened in this part of Oklahoma in a long time. “Almost unbelievable to me. It was like a miracle that happened," said Don Nichols, Muskogee chapter commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. In March, the VA sent out a recommendation that Muskogee's VA hospital close, which would mean veterans would have to go to Tulsa for services. “We know that there’s people in southeastern Oklahoma that wouldn’t want to or couldn’t drive to Tulsa, where they’re building a new hospital, to get healthcare," said Nichols. Don Nichols created a petition and it collected more than 17,000 signatures. “Some days we would collect seven, eight, 900 signatures. It’s just been an amazing journey for me to see how great the Oklahoma people are. How much they support veterans. How much they support keeping the veteran hospital open," said Nichols. Nichols said the VA hospital in Muskogee lls a desperate need and Without it, many veterans wouldn’t have access to healthcare. “They’re all excited. They can’t believe like I couldn’t believe it like I couldn’t believe it. But, the hospital is going to stay open and meet their needs. Some of em’ like me.
The Purple Heart Chapter is hosting a rally on Friday at 5:30 PM in front of the Civic Center to thank the community for the support along the way.
***American Legion Auxiliary Department of Oklahoma***
Sorry for getting this out to late for everyone who wanted to go to the rally. The rally date was July 1, 2022 at the Civic Center, Muskogee, OK. I had to get permission to post this report from Griffin Communications, News on 6, Tulsa, OK. Thanks to everyone who supported to keep the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital, Muskogee, OK. The Veterans in this area desperately needed this hospital to stay. The Veterans in this area not only would have to go to Tulsa for a VA hospital. Some of them may have had to go to the Oklahoma City VA Hospital, Oklahoma, OK. Either they would have had to go a long ways for a VA hospital and/or services.
Preamble to the ALA Constitution
For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on Earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy;
To participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion;
To consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
PERPETUATING OUR VALUES
For nearly a century, The American Legion Family, which includes The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion, has been steadfast in support of our nation’s military. Our members promote patriotism, responsible citizenship and national security while educating youth and advocating for veterans’ rights. While members of The American Legion Family are individually unique, collectively we are a multi-million member powerhouse of caring advocates dedicated to service.
In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.