I have many wonderfully fond memories that tell of my relationship with Aunt Edna as with all of the Horne girls, but none so memorable as those featuring Aunt Edna and my attempts to extort as many marshmallows as possible on a given day from her. I was, as with many children, quite enamored with them. Wonderful fluffy and sweet and easy to eat, I remember I would tell my dearest Aunt of the many wonderful deeds that I had accomplished that told of the reasons why I deserved yet another marshmallow as a reward for those deeds. Mind you, Most of those deeds only significant to the minds of young children. But Aunt Edna, with the patience and kindness of an angel, surrogate mom that she was when my own mother was not available, knew when I truely deserved one and when I didn't, and perhaps more importantly, when one of those lushest of sweets might spoil my next meal. You have to understand, there where not the multitudinous forms and varities of sweets back then! A marshmallow was an awesome treat! But the funniest part where my attempts at speaking the word "marshmallow" which came out more like "marmella". I was, perhaps 2 or 3 years old and struggled with any word more than two syllables, as is true for most of us at that age. The fact that this story became the basis for more laughter when, for example, even as adults, we exchanged gifts. She yet another marshmallow sent in the mail to me as a gift for a birthday along with another more appropriate gift, and I bringing her a huge bag of marshmallows to replenish her stock along with a more appropriate gift, for her 100th birthday celebration. I was so blessed and so happy to be able to be there for that celebration, along with my father. For those who have been blessed to know and interact with the "Horne" girls, and especially, the last of them now, Aunt Edna, the world is indeed a lesser place since her departure. She was one of the kindest and happiest people that I have ever known. I miss her terribly already tho I am comforted with the knowledge that I will see her again one day, a home-coming that I will look forward to without fail for whatever time remains for me. Also, it is critically important to note that Aunt Edna's legacy of motherly kindness lives on in her daughters, Joyce and Judy. They both watched over me many, many times as an infant and young child so we have stories of our own to tell, but those are for another time. What I will cherish forever was Aunt Edna's steadfastness as a Christian women, and her loving, motherly kindness, being slow to anger,and quick to smile and laugh and I am happy that I was able to be a part of inciting some small part of the laughter in their family. This has been medicine for my aching soul in these harsh times, when sadness seems to comes so quickly instead of laughter and happiness. Thank you, Aunt Edna and to all of the Johnson family, for your thoughts and prayers and fun times. Your the best.