Linda Dyal Johns

Linda Dyal Johns (née Linda JoAnn Dyal). February 20, 1951 - September 12, 2025. Linda Dyal Johns, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away on September 12, 2025, at the age of 74. She was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to Otis and Edna ("Peggy") Dyal on February 20, 1951, the youngest of four siblings. Raised on the farm, Linda's connection to the land and animals was deep, and she was as comfortable on horseback as she was walking the family farm. Her love of horses came from her father and has continued through her daughter and granddaughter, Amory, who now rides with her grandmother's saddle.
A proud graduate of Columbia High School in 1969, Linda's path led her to Florida State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, with minors in History and Education, in 1975. During her college years, Linda met Skip Johns, the love of her life, while working as a cocktail waitress at the Holiday Inn over the summer. They married on December 16, 1973, and built their forever home just down the road from the farm. They had two children, Jeb and Ashley, who were raised in love and her great respect for personal integrity and kindness to others.
Linda's passion for service to others was evident throughout her career. After college, she began as an English teacher at Forest Hills Academy, where her love for nurturing young minds flourished. She then transitioned into social work, dedicating 35 years to the Florida Department of Children and Families. During this time, she completed her Master's Degree in Social Work, and also taught as an adjunct professor at Florida State University. Her work in adoption policy, recruitment, and retention was transformative, and her dedication led her to a distinguished career at the state level, ultimately serving as the Program and Policy Lead Analyst for Indian Child Welfare. She became a trusted liaison between state programs and tribal communities, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of child welfare.
Linda was deeply rooted in her family's rich history. A passionate genealogist, she meticulously researched her family's heritage, tracing lineage to ancestors who fought in the American Revolution and the Civil War. She was a proud and active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), where she held various esteemed roles, including serving as Regent of the Edward Rutledge Chapter. Her connection to history and heritage was a defining aspect of her life, one she shared with her children and grandchildren.
Her most beloved role was as "Mam" to her 3 wonderful grand-children, who love her deeply and will miss her many lively stories and unrivaled antics. Many of her favorite days after retirement were spent in her yard and garden, claiming her only future job would be as a "dirt farmer". Her beautiful gardens and treasured plants serve as a memorial to her devotion to her craft, with her ability to make anything thrive under her hand.
Linda is survived by her devoted husband, Skip Johns, daughter Ashley Johns Thomas and her husband Adam Jackson Thomas, and their three children, Amory, Asher, and Archer, as well as various extended family. Linda was predeceased by her three siblings, Dolores Dyal Russell, Raymond Otis Dyal, and Peggy Ann Sandlin, and her beloved son, Jeb Stuart Johns. Linda's legacy lives on in her family, whose love for her was as boundless as her own.
Her family will always remember her sharp wit, deep integrity, unwavering dedication to others, and her tireless commitment to preserving family history. She leaves behind a legacy of service, wisdom, and love that will continue to inspire all who knew her.
A celebration of Linda's life will be held at her hometown church, Saint James Episcopal Church, in Lake City, Florida, on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Linda's honor to a local charity or program dedicated to historical preservation, animal protection, or the under-served populations. Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.