listen as you explore
In Americanna's own words from the liner notes of her album "Remember"
To my family and friends:
You have brought something very special to my life. Your support, love and encouragement in all that I do is an ever present joy in my life. For listening when I was hurting; for the laughter we have shared and for just being there for me, I thank you.
MUSIC...What would we do without music? Music lifts my spirit and touches my heart as nothing else in my life. Music speaks the lyrics of living and the utter joy of being...remember!
Remember ... boat rides, swimming in Table Rock, Thunder Road
Remember ... laughter shared, warm memories
Remember ... music made together and life lived!
Remember ... homemade cinnamon rolls and "fried chicky"
Remember ... I love you forever and always.
OUR STORY
We made this website to honor Americanna May Awbrey Magness. Her children have collaborated, with some technical help from two very special people, to put this together. Our hope is that this will be a place to come visit when you miss Americanna and remember what she meant to you through pictures, words, and songs.
Americanna's selfless spirit, her smile, her laugh, her hugs, and her kindness and compassion for everyone are deeply missed by all who knew her. Her heart full of love failed while holding our father’s hand at 4:00 am on April 1, 2020. Her life support was withdrawn at 12:30 pm on April 2nd.
She raised her family with boundless love and support. Nurturing and caring for us the best way she knew how. We would race home from elementary school to a warm lunch on the table. She was very active in the Parent Teacher Association. If there was anything she could do to help, Americanna would be there. She was always our cheerleader in all we wanted to do. We knew that she loved us more than anything. She was our first best friend, the rock that was our foundation; we knew that she would be there for us, no matter what. The hole her death left in our hearts is cavernous.
She entered the work force in 1979 at Wichita High School South, as an Attendance Clerk and then the Secretary for the Guidance Counselors before retiring in 1997. She enjoyed supporting the Fine Arts Department in any way she could. The picture of her singing was taken by a student at a South staff talent show.
In her retirement, she served the Branson community on various boards for the Taneyhills Community Library; Deacon for the First Presbyterian Church; Board of Directors for the Branson Arts Council where she received Art Citizen of the Year (2006); Coordinator of Old Stone Church Concerts; officer of PEO Chapter IB; and helped found the Branson Chamber singers, now known as the Branson Chorale.
When her mother-in-law, Jeanne Magness, passed away, Americanna wrote that it would be okay because "she will be in heaven with Him and she'll be with us all the time." Her quote reflects our journey for she will be in our hearts, forever.
There has always been and there will always be, only One Americanna.
THROUGH THE YEARS
In December of 1941 it seemed that America was going to be engaged once again in a war. Henry had volunteered to help save freedom, peace, and democracy in WWI and had returned with a love for his country that was even deeper than when he left. Our parent’s heart, as did most of the nation, be with patriotism, strong and true. In our quiet and peaceful world, they were expecting a new baby, a little one. The new National Geographic arrived in May of 1942 and one of the features in that issue included photos of our country calm, pastoral, lovely, and beautiful and a photo of a little girl with a piece of sheet music. It was Irving Berlin’s newest hit “God Bless America” and it inspired the baby’s new name. The country was singing that song and it was singing it loud and strong. On May 27th, a new brown eyed, curly haired baby girl was introduced to the world. Americanna May Awbrey was born to Henry R. Awbrey and Elizabeth S. Awbrey and a sister, eight year old Clara Lee and a twenty-five year old half-brother Henry Jr.
— Clara Lee Awbrey Beasley
CALENDAR
Americanna saved this calendar from 1978. It used to hang in her mother's kitchen. Let's have an Americanna moment every day and remember with a smile, what she meant to you.
HER POETRY
When I’m Gone by Americanna Magness
Please share your memories of Americanna on the Memories page. Hear her beautiful voice singing her favorite songs and read her poetry as you remember what it was like to have her light here with us.
We plan to update the pictures periodically. Create an account with your e-mail and we'll let you know when new content is added. (Initially, it may take up to 48 hours for access.)
There are loads of pictures to choose from. This is just the beginning, there is more to come. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to remember our wonderful mother, Americanna.
Americanna's Community
Taneyhills Community Library
200 S 4th St, Branson, MO 65616
Branson Chorale
PO Box 504, Branson MO 65615