Anne Haney Johnson

Anne was born August 6, 1940, in Amory, Mississippi to James Lemmon Haney and Edith Opal Van-Buskirk Haney. She graduated from Amory High School, Amory, Mississippi and from Mississippi State University with a Masters Degree in Education. She taught school in Starkville, Mississippi before moving to St. Simons Island to teach at St. Simons Elementary School. She taught first grade for 30 years and was a gifted and dedicated educator. Teaching was not a job for her, but a calling. She was passionate about bringing every child up to their highest potential. It was not uncommon for her students to make a point to visit her well into their adult lives.

In 1973 she married Jesse Donovan Johnson. He was a teacher, a coach and a Principal in Glynn County School System before becoming the first pastor of Christian Renewal Church St. Simons.

Anne was predeceased by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Floyd John Johnson, Sr. and Sarah Gladys Johnson, her husband Don, her brother John Lee Haney, her sisters-in-law Sarah Johnson Dodd, Carolyn Johnson, Lillian Johnson, brothers-in-law Floyd Johnson, Jr. and Robert Rice, son-in-law Garry Garretson, and nephew Donnie Dodd.

Anne is survived by three children and ten grandchildren; son John Thomas Johnson, his wife Stella, and their children Anne Eliza Johnson, Mary Winship Johnson, Thomas Donovan Johnson and Henry Riggins Johnson; daughter Patricia Johnson Garretson, and her four sons, Garry Calloway Garretson (Holly), James Pepper Garretson (Anne), Charlie Ashford Garretson (Beth) and Benjamin Harris Garretson (Brooke); and son James Donovan Johnson, his wife Jennifer, and their daughters Mary Elizabeth Johnson and Hanna Grace Johnson; along with ten great-grandchildren. Anne also leaves behind her sister, Mary Blanche Rice, nieces Edie Hipchen (Phil), and Robyn Kicklighter (Scott), brother-in-law Jimmy Lee Dodd, niece Becky Davie and nephew David Dodd; sister-in-law Shelia Johnson, niece Laura Granfield and nephews John Johnson, III, Tom Johnson, and Frank Johnson. Anne is also survived by her dearly loved adopted family, John and Bunny Lee, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Anne was an active member of St. Simons Island Christian Renewal Church, first as the pastor’s wife, then continuing to serve as a leader in prayer groups, Sunday school teacher, mission trip leader and counselor to many. She served on the worship team and sang solos for many occasions since childhood. In recent years she served at Oglethorpe Elementary as a leader and teacher in the after school Good News Club.

She leaves her family and friends with a deep and lasting legacy. She lived a life of service to her family and her Lord. Her gentle spirit, kindness, tenderness, tireless devotion to family and friends are characteristics that will be cherished and mark the lives of her descendants. In every way she served as an example of Christian love and virtue and her light in this world will be truly missed.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Thursday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Simons Island Christian Renewal Church with Pastor Mike Murray officiating. The family will welcome guests after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christian Renewal Church St. Simons or the St. Simons Elementary PTA.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com