Merry Lynne (Hayes) Johnston

Merry Lynne Hayes Johnston of Mountain Brook, Alabama passed away peacefully April 1, 2026. She was born November 23, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama to Samuel Douglass and Agnes Lynne Murray Hayes. Merry Lynne is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert Brooks Johnston; her son, Jeffrey Clay Johnston; her daughter, Alison Leigh Johnston; Clay’s son, Vanya Alexander Johnston; and a brother, Carl Douglass Hayes (Lyn).

Merry Lynne was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joanne Hayes McLaughlin and brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Lee McLaughlin.

From the early days of her life and due to her father’s work, Merry Lynne moved with her family every 4 to 6 months. Merry Lynne lived in many cities throughout her childhood. Her father was employed by Western Electric/AT&T as an electrical engineer and worked to transition existing telecommunication systems of live operators to a new dialing system in offices around the country.

Merry Lynne’s father became the Superintendent and Lead Manager for the installation of Distant Early Warning Radar Lines (DEW) across the United States including Alaska and a vast portion of Canada.

Morris Plains, NJ was home for the Hayes family for many years. It was here, Merry Lynne attended all four years of high school and was a member of the graduating class of 1952 Morristown High School. Having attended 21 schools, Merry Lynne was thankful to enjoy a full high school experience. No matter where the Hayes family lived, Merry Lynne was always proud of her father and the work he did.

Merry Lynne continued her scholastic career at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. During college, she participated in many academic clubs while earning numerous awards and honors including: Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 1955-1956; Mortar Board Secretary: AOPi Treasurer; ACS Student Affiliate Secretary & Treasurer; Senior Class Intramural Manager; P.E. Club; Methodist Student Movement; College Theatre; YWCA and Water Ballet.

In 1956, Merry Lynne graduated with honors from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. Upon graduation from Birmingham-Southern College, Merry Lynne attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where she completed not only a residency, but also obtained an additional degree and certification as a Registered Certified Medical Technologist.

Her education complete, Merry Lynne worked at UAB with Dr. Holley and Dr. Richardson in the study and research of Clinical Immunology as well as the study of Arthritis and Rheumatology. This early work experience contributed to Merry Lynne’s desire to pursue medical school.

Merry Lynne met her husband, Brooks in 1957 when he moved to Birmingham to begin his career as an engineer at the AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO.) Merry Lynne and Brooks were introduced on a blind date coordinated by both of their former college roommates. Merry Lynne and Brooks dated for nearly two years.

During this same time, Merry Lynne applied to and was accepted to the Medical School at Emory University in Atlanta for 1958 enrollment. This was a large accomplishment during a time when few women were accepted to medical school.

Brooks proposed to Merry Lynne shortly after her medical school acceptance. The couple became engaged and married 6 months later on August 23, 1958. Once married, Merry Lynne continued her work in medical research for three years until her son, Clay was born. Honored to have been accepted to medical school and following her son’s birth, Merry Lynne made the conscious choice to be a full time wife and mother. Her family and her church would become the focus of her life’s work.

Merry Lynne’s greatest joy was being a mother to her two children, Clay and Alison. She was active in and supportive of her children’s many activities. She encouraged Clay and Alison to participate in Scouting, sports, athletic and academic clubs, and to participate in Methodist Youth Fellowship and The Emmanuel Singers Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, Alabama. Merry Lynne chaperoned trips, taught programs and volunteered her time for each and every interest her children enjoyed.

Merry Lynne possessed a brilliant, curious mind. She studied many subjects throughout her life. She had diverse interests and hobbies. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her kitchen and table were always open for anyone to come enjoy a meal or sit with a cup of coffee and visit. Merry Lynne was an avid gardener. She grew and cultivated her beautiful roses in several large flower beds. She enjoyed being outside and working in her yard. She took pride in the colorful landscape she painstakingly created.

Merry Lynne’s artistic interests crossed mediums including acrylic and watercolor painting, charcoal sketching, ceramics and pottery. But it was her stained glass she most enjoyed and for which she was best known. For many years, Merry Lynne designed and hand crafted beautiful stained glass windows, lamps and ornamental items. She often gifted her art to family and friends.

Merry Lynne was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She enjoyed fellowship and studying the Bible with her Sunday school class. She was a member of the United Methodist Women (UMW.) She further expanded her volunteerism at Trinity once her children were older. She served as the Director of The Family Life Center where she worked to develop and coordinate numerous activities for all those who attended Trinity.

Merry Lynne was honored to receive an invitation from Frances and John Peterson to assist with and chaperone the youth choir group, The Emmanuel Singers. Merry Lynne and Brooks traveled to concerts, participated in choir tours and other events as they supported and worshiped with the choir.

As Merry Lynne’s children entered their collegiate years, she returned to working in medical research. She would go on to accept positions of employ in the field of pharmacokinetic research at Samford University and Southern Research Institute.

In retirement, Merry Lynne stayed busy and kept a full calendar. She and Brooks traveled annually and took many trips in the U.S. as well as many adventures thru most of Europe. They worked together with Habitat for Humanity and contributed to building several homes. Merry Lynne was an avid card player. She especially loved times spent with friends playing bridge and her weekly Saturday night Cribbage challenges with her mother, Agnes. Merry Lynne taught and started a mahjong group at her church and was active in a neighborhood ladies mahjong group which played weekly and competed in tournaments. Her favorite tournament play was a week-long trip to Las Vegas, NV.

Merry Lynne’s life was long and well lived. She was an accomplished woman who was ahead of her time. A wonderful woman who gave freely and loved deeply.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Ridout’s Valley Chapel 1800 Oxmoor Road Homewood, AL 35209. Visitation preceding at 10:30 a.m. The family warmly invites all those attending to join in a reception immediately following the service.