Obituary for Shirley Huff Johns

MRS. SHIRLEY BELL HUFF JOHNS, age 89, of Eastman, GA, died on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Heart of Georgia Nursing Home.

 Graveside services will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, January 13, at New Union Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Mike Grenade & Rev Joe Daniel officiating.

 Shirley was born in Avon Park, FL and was a member of First Baptist Church of Eastman. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, reading, and writing poetry. Mrs. Johns was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was affectionately known as “Mam Ma” to her grandchildren. After many years and into her 60’s she studied and earned her high school GED, a milestone accomplishment to her life.

 Mrs. Johns’ was an avid reader and her love of reading was instrumental in having the bookmobile visit the family store in the early 1960’s, which allowed her children and the children of the community, the opportunity to borrow and read books. Her love for reading also inspired three of her children, as well as three of her grandchildren, to become teachers. After raising her children and helping raise her grandchildren, she became the Door Greeter at Walmart, giving her the opportunity to meet and visit with everyone. She loved and enjoyed sharing her memories and rejoicing in former memories with others. She soon because affectionately known as “Miss Shirley” to all.

Shirley was the daughter of the late James Bryant Huff and Georgia Bell Underwood Huff and was preceded in death by her Husband of 55 years, Horace Johns and 10 siblings, Vera Lowery, Marie Stewart, Aza Lee Higgins, Kitty Faircloth, James Huff, G.B. Huff, Charles “Bubba” Huff, Faye Kearney, Joyce Worley, and Talmadge Huff.

 She is survived by 2 Daughters – Wanda Johns Woodard (Brinson) of Eastman and Dell Johns Sapp of Gray; Son – Stan Johns (Cissie) of Eastman; 6 Grandchildren – Randy Sapp (Julie) of Eastman, Jennie Barfield (Chris Caldwell) of Forsyth, Rebecca W. Brown (Farris) of Eastman, David Woodard (Charlotte) of Lakeland, Alyssa J. Fowler (Daniel) of Athens, and Adam Johns of Eastman; 6 Great Grandchildren – Ashlyn, Brody, Maddie, Stella, Liva, and Oliver; Sister-in-law – Carol Huff of Macon; Numerous Nieces and Nephews.

 The family may be contacted at the residence of Stan and Cissie Johns, 3266 Soperton Highway, Eastman. Mrs. Johns will lie-in-state at Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home from 11:00AM-4:00PM, Tuesday January 12. In addition to flowers the family request contributions to the donor’s favorite charity.