Floyd B. Johnston
Floyd B. Johnston
Jan. 12, 1924 – Jan. 25, 2023
Floyd B. Johnston, 99, of Summit, died Jan 25, 2023 at his residence.
Services were Jan. 28, 2023, at West McComb Baptist Church. Dr. Greg Johnston, Vic Johnston and Rev. Vann Windom officiating with burial at Johnston Chapel U.M.C. Cemetery with Marine Honors in Summit.
He was born on Jan. 12, 1924, in the Johnston Station community, son of the late Benny Thomas and Eula Williams Johnston.
He grew up in the Johnston Chapel area of Summit, enjoying helping his ever-growing family with farm work, and becoming passionate at bird (quail), rabbit, and squirrel hunting. He was a natural at basketball, and enjoyed playing on the Johnston Station School winning basketball team. His parents were part of the founding group of the Johnston Chapel United Methodist Church to which Floyd dedicated much of his time as a youth.
On Nov. 8, 1943, Floyd joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as an anti-aircraft gunner for the Marines, and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. Due to “suddenly” being slammed with pneumonia, he “missed” his unit being shipped out to fight in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Most of his unit did not return home.
After being discharged from the Marines on April 6, 1946, Floyd met Margie Stinson, and they were married 49 1/2 years. He worked the farm (dairy, crops, and cattle) as together, they reared their three children.
Floyd (and Margie) quickly joined in the newly founded local church work, and he became an active deacon at Sunny Hill Baptist Church, later to be called West McComb Baptist Church. Therein, Floyd served his LORD, his church, and his community for the following 65 years of his life. He participated in many state-side AND foreign mission trips, wherein, he used his expert carpenter skills to build numerous homes, churches, and meet many needs near and far. As his daughter served at The Baptist Children’s Village as counselor and social worker, Floyd served by building cottages or renovating for the children. As his son, Vic, served as a career missionary to Brazil, Floyd served by building and renovating churches to meet the needs of the new congregations being founded. As his son, Greg, served as lead pastor to several Mississippi churches, Floyd served by joining in any building efforts or mission trips they might have going on.
Floyd joined the Church Building Ministries, Inc. that his friend, Joe Brewer, had founded, and travelled the U.S. participating in major mission work.
As he aged, Floyd became an avid member of his church’s “Yesterday’s Kids”. After Margie’s untimely death, Floyd remarried, and enjoyed almost two decades of married life with Jean Cook.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Margie Louise Stinson Johnston and his second wife Jean Cook Johnston and numerous brothers and sisters, Flora Freeman, Clyde Johnston, Elwin Johnston, Lois Johnston, Geraldine Reed, Erma Stockton, Jewel Johnston, Eva Kenna, Glen Johnston and Lemelia Boone.
He is survived by his two sons, Vic Johnston (Sharon) of Tylertown and Dr. Greg Johnston (Vicki) of Purvis, one daughter, Alisa Johnston Brashear (Russell) of Brandon, one brother, Bryant Johnston of Brookhaven, eight grandchildren, Ky Johnston (Katie), Vince Johnston, Jennifer Johnston, Davy Johnston (Katelyn), Britt Johnston (Michaela), Janna Savage (Dan), Krista King, and Kara Bailey (Ty), and eight great-grandchildren, Caelyn Johnston, Jaxon Johnston, Madoxx Bailey, Easton Bailey, Sawyer Savage, Hudson Savage, Chesney King, and Hastings King, and numerous adored nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Quint Stinson, Davy Johnston, Ky Johnston, Vince Johnston, Britt Johnston and Ty Bailey.
Honorary pallbearers were Sammy Quin and Jimmy Quin.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West McComb Baptist Church Mission Fund or their building fund.
Hartman-Jones Funeral Home in McComb was in charge of the arrangements. To share an online condolence please visit www.hartmanjonesfuneralhome.com