Nancy Johnson

Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 9, 2010

After an extended illness, Nancy Beers Johnson died Thursday, May 6, 2010, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Nancy was born in Selma, Alabama, December 6, 1939 and grew up on her family’s farm in Tyler, Alabama, where she developed a deep love of nature and horses.
She graduated with honors from Albert G. Parrish High School in Selma, Alabama in 1957.
After graduating from high school, she enrolled in Sophia Newcomb College in New
Orleans, Louisiana, and, after later transferring to University of Alabama, she obtained her undergraduate degree in education in 1962.
After obtaining her undergraduate degree, she taught English literature, as well as horse riding and jumping, at the Golden Hills Academy in Ocala, Florida.
She later returned to Selma, Alabama, obtained her Master of English degree from
Livingston University (now the University of West Alabama), and taught English Literature at John T. Morgan Academy.
She then returned to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she continued her education at the University of Alabama, taught English Literature at the undergraduate level, and earned her doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in English.
Her doctoral studies were focused on southern American literature and, in particular, the writings of southern American women authors.
Nancy later left Tuscaloosa to make her home again in New Orleans, Louisiana.
There, she taught college-level English Literature classes for a number of years at several local institutions, including the University of New Orleans.
In addition to teaching, she also contributed to the editing of the national publication, College English, and CO-edited two college-level English textbooks.
Nancy Beers Johnson was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Robert Beers, Jr., and her daughters, Mary Clayton Griffin and Elizabeth Lynn Johnson.
She is survived by her daughter Avery Lea Griffin (Bill Schuette); her two brothers, George Robert Beers, III (Joy) and William Russell Beers; her nephews George Robert (“Bert”) Beers, IV and Randall Clay Beers (Alicia); and a niece, Rebecca Ashley Beers. Also surviving Ms. Johnson are her aunts, Betty Gray Driggers and Mary Frances Poe.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy Beers Johnson’s name to the Ronald McDonald House in Boston, Massachusetts or to charities continuing the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May, 9, 2010 at Church Street United Methodist Church in Selma, Alabama.
The family will receive guests at the church after the service.