Johnnie Elizabeth "Johnna" Hittson

Johnnie Elizabeth Hittson (Lowe) (she preferred to be called Johnna because it sounded more like a girls name) passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at age 99. Born on July 19, 1926, in Summitville, Tennessee, Johnna was the daughter of Beulah Elizabeth Prater and Cecil Hall Lowe. She grew up on a farm with six siblings. She was quite a tomboy, and her favorite activities were playing in the loft of the barn, skating on the pond in the winter, grooming her pet pig, and riding the family's mule, "Ole Blue". Johnna was always eager to learn, and she had a passion for reading throughout her life. She graduated from Manchester Central High School during WWII. After graduation, she went to work at Camp Forrest and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and went to work at Phillips & Buttorff, a company that built pontoon boats for the war effort. At the end of the war, her childhood sweetheart returned home, and they began dating. She married Buford Price Hittson in January 1947, and a year later they had a daughter named Mary Elizabeth, who was always called Libby. In 1971, Johnna and her husband, Buford, moved to Warner Robins, Georgia, to be near their daughter. In 1972, Johnna went to work at Mercer University and began going to school full-time. While at Mercer, she received her bachelor's and master's degree cum laude. When the officials at Mercer decided to build a medical school, Johnna became the assistant to the new dean. She did the grunt work that made it possible for the medical school to become a reality. After Johnna's retirement from Mercer, she traveled all over the United States with her daughter and granddaughter, while her husband stayed at home and cared for the all the farm animals. When her husband died in 2003, she sold their farm and moved to Perry, Georgia, to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved Perry and thought it was the most beautiful town in America. Johnna lived a remarkable life, but being a member of the Church of Christ gave her the greatest joy. She became a member of the church when she was fourteen years old, and she remained faithful her entire life. In addition to her husband and parents, Johnna was preceded in death by her brothers, Kenneth Lowe, Levoyd Lowe, Anthony Lowe, and her sister, Naomi Allen. Johnna's memory will forever be treasured by her loving daughter, Libby, and her beloved son-in-law, Guy Chils; granddaughter, Amanda Crawford (Mike); and great-grandchildren, Addison Goings and Gavin Crawford; siblings; Betty Grissom and Jimmy Lowe (Gale); and a host of loving nieces and nephews. Johnna requested cremation and no funeral services. With honor, Burpee-Scott Memorial Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.