Maxine “Mackie” Johnson Lovern-Bersch, born Jan. 23, 1919, in Dundon, West Virginia, recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends. She has worn many hats during her lifetime including that of a church librarian, author, storyteller and teacher of storytelling. She has collected many interesting stories and her autobiographical book “Under the Gooseberry Bush,” shares more than 100 of them.
She remains active even after quadruple bypass surgery in the 80s and she now has a pacemaker, but that doesn’t slow her down. She is a devout Christian who lives her life for the Lord. She doesn’t worry much and doesn’t get stressed.
“I trust the Lord to take care of everything,” she said. “And He always does.”
She was the ninth of 10 children. Her feet were dislocated at birth and Mackie credits her mother’s faith in the Lord for them being healed. The Lord showed her how to fix her daughter’s feet in a dream by fashioning a cast from cardboard and holding it in place with fabric strips. The method did gradually straighten the baby’s feet.
Mackie was home-schooled for her first few school years using a curriculum that her sister, Josephine, developed. When she found out that she would soon be going to school, Mackie complained about having to wear high-topped boots until her mother shared the story about her feet. She explained to Mackie that because the family home was atop a steep hill that she would have to descend 
every morning and climb every afternoon, her ankles needed extra support. After a couple of years, she was able to wear more fashionable shoes.
Mackie, a voracious reader, was smart and learned quickly. Josephine’s curriculum resulted in Mackie being above grade level when she was able to attend school and she was angry that she was not placed in the grade that her test scores indicated.
Mackie’s mother, Missouri Hamrick Johnson, was an intelligent and strong woman. Her father, George Seymour Johnson, was a banker who later became a sheriff. He was also politically active. At one point, he lost his fortune and had to begin again, which he successfully accomplished.
Life was difficult during Mackie’s childhood, but she didn’t know anything different. Rural homes didn’t have electricity and winters were cold with only fireplaces for heat. She had to make her way down the large hill for school every day and back up after school. She was born just after the end of World War I and lived through the hard times during World War II.
She loves using her story-telling talent to glorify God. She started out in her church, then began traveling around the state and nation through the library church library association. Soon, she also began teaching storytelling.
Mackie was married for 52 years to Frank Leslie Bersch of Virginia. They had three children. After Bersch died, she married William Henry Lovern who died only six months after their marriage.
She keeps up with current events as well as technology. She uses her computer for all her writing and has a blog and a website.
In addition to the autobiography, Mackie’s other books include “Storytelling in a Nutshell” and “Eternity in an Hour.”
Her political views and personal values are conservative. She proudly backs President Donald Trump.
“I am so happy to have a president that believes in the United States Constitution,” Mackie said.
One of the main things she wishes to share is that the only way to true happiness and contentment is to give your life to God.
Mackie’s motto: Look up! Love! Laugh! And lift!