Page 21 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine
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“Les Miserables,” and “The Sound
of Music.”
Carla believes, as did the
philosopher Plato, that “Music gives
a soul to the universe, wings to the
mind, flight to the imagination,
and life to everything.” She is
grateful that God has allowed her
to continue using the talent He
gave her to glorify Him through
performing for church and civic
organizations.
of the Governing Board of Opera in
the Ozarks, and the president of the
Christian faith, her church, her Lubbock Music Club. She has also Carla Johnson values the
family and friends, and the solace served as president of the Monterey two Purple Hearts in her
of Scripture and hymns comforted High School PTA and chair and possession – the one her
her. Her faith was rewarded when area representative of the Lubbock father Army Pvt. Carl
Laura had what her doctors called Christian Womens’ Connection. Newsom was awarded
a miraculous recovery. When Carla Honoring her for her activities in when he was killed in
and Phil finally met to exchange support of music, she has received a WWII and the one her
their medals, a relationship was Distinguished Service Award from first husband USAF Capt.
kindled, and they married in TFMC and a Proclamation from Lynn Oberdier was awarded
November 1970. During this time, the State of Texas. An endowed posthumously when his plane
Carla continued her education at scholarship has been established was shot down in Vietnam.
Texas Tech, eventually receiving in her name to benefit Texas Tech
her Masters’ degree in Elementary music students. Senior Link has dedicated the Fall
Education.
One of Carla’s special memories 2020 issue to telling the stories
Carla’s musical talent, which she is of her performing the role of of West Texas Purple Heart
believes is a gift from God, was Sharon in “Finian’s Rainbow” when recipients and Gold Star families.
passed on to her children and she was a senior at Lubbock High If you know of someone whose
grandchildren. Her son, Carl, School. Among her favorites of the story should be included, please
plays the violin and piano; her many musical performances she has contact Erin Agee.
daughter, Laura, sings and plays attended are “My Fair Lady,” (with (806) 441-3955 or
the piano; and her youngest son, Laura performing the role of Eliza erin.slm@outlook.com
Philip, a Lubbock attorney, plays Doolittle), “Phantom of the Opera,”
the trumpet. Both Laura and Carl
majored in music in college, and
Laura obtained advanced degrees
in opera performance. Laura and
her husband, Kyle, live in New York
and perform professionally. Carla’s
grandchildren have participated in
choir, band and orchestra and have
performed in high school musicals.
Carla has always been active in
church, civic, and professional music
organizations. She has served, and
serves, in leadership positions in
many of the organizations, including
state president of the Texas
Federation of Music Clubs (TFMC),
board member of the National
Federation of Music Clubs, member
Lubbock Senior Link 21
