ROUND ROCK- Beulah Johnnie (Hurd) Mercer, affectionately known as Big Mama or Aunt Johnnie, was born on her family’s farm in Austin, Texas on January 9, 1906,  to Mr. and Mrs. Will and Mamie Woods Hurd. She often recalls the story of how her father was released from slavery. He was just nine-years-old when he and his mother were freed.

Once they were released on the Pedernales River, they went to Austin to establish new lives for themselves. She never lacked for playmates being the 6th born of 15 children. She attended Stony Point Colored School in Hutto, Texas and Hopewell Colored School in Round Rock Texas.

She is the only remaining member of her family. Mrs. Mercer was married 52 years to Isiah Mercer, Sr. (whom she wed in 1926 and moved to Round Rock).  Together, they raised two boys and four girls. Isiah died on December 30, 1977, and this beloved matriarch has been blessed with a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

For many years Mrs. Mercer was a valued employee of Trinity Lutheran Nursing Home, and she later served as a cook and a driver for the Round Rock Area Senior Center until finally retiring 17 years ago at age 86. However, she didn’t let that slow her down as evidenced by her church work. She remains a woman of strong faith, with a long-standing membership of 81 years at Sweet Home Baptist Church, Round Rock Texas, where the pastor is Dante D. Wright, I.

In her spare time, Beulah enjoys quilting, shelling pecans, attending church whenever possible and sharing memories.
We salute Beulah Johnnie Hurd Mercer as this week’s Living Legend and invite you to send in who you think will make a good Living Legend and why they should be honored.