Johnie Dyal Johnston

ALICEVILLE Johnie Dyal Johnston, age 85, of Aliceville, died Feb. 6, 2007 at Pickens County Medical Center. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. today, Feb. 8, 2007, at Aliceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Charlie Wilson and Dr. Joe P. Whitt officiating. A family service in Franconia Cemetery will precede the church services with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be in the fellowship hall following the service.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 æ years, RobRoy Johnston, Jr.; her parents, Jay and Eulla Dyal; brothers, Otto Dyal and Ejay Dyal.

Survivors include her daughter, Johnie Johnston McKinzey (Billy) of Aliceville; grandchildren, Bill McKinzey (Carol) and Susan McKinzey Milner (Barry); great grandchildren, Caroline McKinzey, Katie McKinzey and Anna Rose Milner; special friends, Lonnie Taylor, Marie and Don McKinzey.

Mrs. Johnston was born December 4, 1921 and grew up in Donna, Texas. She and her husband met at the University of Texas. Johnie lived in Dancy for 62 years and she was a loyal member of Aliceville First Baptist Church where she taught her Sunday school class for many years. She was regent of the Pickens County Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, vice-regent of the Alabama Society Daughters of the American Revolution and was active in many civic organizations. Mrs. Johnston was in the antique business with her husband and enjoyed University of Alabama football, playing bridge with friends and, most of all, being with her family and following the events of her great-grandchildren.

Johnie Johnston was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was always generous, kind, gracious, loving, unselfish and caring and saw the best in everyone and everything. She was a very creative person and could take nothing and make something beautiful. She has made us better people and the world a better place by just being here. She will be greatly missed. We thank God for the gift of our loved one.

Pallbearers will be Bess King, Jane Young, Libbet Park, Jean Martin, Dorothy Boyd, Carol Jo Hagerman, Jean Lewis, Shelby Johnston, Millie Kirksey, Carolyn Lee, Mary Ann Dee and Virginia Collins.

Honorary pallbearers are Mary Jo Witten, Ann Stirling, Jane Gwinn, Juanita Lee, Peggy King, Earline Jones, Betty McBride, Jeannie Pearson, Carolyn Fikes, Wynonia Martin, Annie Dee, Joy Reznicek, Pickens County DAR members and Dr. Dale Robbins. A special thank you to caregivers, Roberta Colvin, Ceceila Miller and Felicia Somerville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Aliceville First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 323, Aliceville, AL 35442.