I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to a young woman and colleague of mine, a pharmacy technician from Lavaca, Arkansas, along with her husband, Jim, and three year old daughter, Shea Nicole, who lost their lives in the Interstate 40 bridge collapse on May 26th, 2002.    

Misty Johnson was only 28 when she was so tragically killed, but in those 28 years she brightened the lives of friends, family, even her customers at Rose Drug Store in Paris, Arkansas.  Her coworkers say Misty was fun to work with, was always on time, and always ready to work hard.

Six years ago, she married Jim, her high school sweetheart.  Their friends say no one can remember either of them having dated anyone but each other.  Jim worked as a route sales representative for Wonder Bread, and started work at 3am.  He had to go to bed earlier than the rest of his family, and he made sure he kissed his daughter Shea every night before doing so.  The two lived for their young daughter, and always put her first in their lives.  In fact, they were headed to Tulsa for a day at the zoo when their lives were unexpectedly taken.

My heart goes out to Misty’s and Jim’s parents, Hursel and Linda Henson, and Juanita Brown Johnson, and their families.  I know this is an extremely difficult time for them, and for all families who lost loved ones on that terrible day, and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.  While Misty, Jim, and Shea are no longer with us, their spirit lives on in the lives of all those they touched.