Oral history interview with Trudy Johnson
Smoot P. Oral history interview with Trudy Johnson
Trudy (Worden) Johnson was hired in October 1980 and served as a nighttime nurse and companion to Bess W. Truman until June 1981. She continued to visit Mrs. Truman at home and in the hospital until Mrs. Truman’s death in 1982. Johnson describes Mrs. Truman’s evening routine and the care given to her by the nightshift staff. Johnson discusses photographs from a birthday and a Christmas party given by employees for Mrs. Truman. Johnson also mentions Mrs. Truman’s hip injury and subsequent illness, as well as her interpretation of the relationship between Bess Truman and Margaret Truman Daniel and the Trumans’ grandsons. The interview concludes with a walk through the first and second floors of the Truman home, with Johnson describing what she remembers about each room and the objects therein. Throughout the interview, Johnson makes clear the significant effect that she believes Bess Truman had on her career as a nurse and on her life generally, including her decision to become the clown “Gumdrop.”