Joseph Edmund Johnston Jr.

A Jackson native and noted church and civic leader, Mr. Johnston had retired in 1990 as Senior Vice President of the former Deposit Guaranty National Bank's trust department after 43 years of service. He was employed by DGNB--now Regions--for his entire professional career.

He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson and had served in leadership capacities there ranging from Sunday School Teacher to Elder and Deacon. He also was a longtime Board member of Belhaven University.Edmund met the love of his life, Betty Anne, at a Christmas party in 1956.

After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on June 8, 1957. They just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. With his Christianity ever at the center of his life, Mr. Johnston and his wife Betty Anne faithfully raised their family at First Presbyterian Church. Johnston's extended church endeavors included being an EE Leader and participating in mission work in the Ukraine. He served in numerous leadership roles within the national body of the Presbyterian Church in America, including serving on the Board of Trustees of its Insurance, Annuity and Relief Funds. He was also a past president of the Jackson Kiwanis Club and a board member of the Gateway Rescue Mission since its inception.

He was educated at the primary and secondary levels in the Jackson Public School System, graduating Central High School in 1947. He then graduated in 1950, Cum Laude -- in three years—from Millsaps College. He received a post graduate degree in Banking from Rutgers University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, working as a Missile Programming Technician in White Sands, New Mexico.

With a passion for fishing, he could be found regularly, gear in hand, at Twin Lakes. For many years, he saved his yearly catch, providing a Fourth of July fish fry for his family and friends. His stunning mathematical mind made for his being an extremely accomplished bridge player. His good-natured demeanor made him a favorite at the regular Wednesday Coffee Club, whose members are retired DGNB officers.Edmund Johnston found time for recreation in following the athletic, musical, and theatrical endeavors of his grandchildren and those of extended family members.

He and Betty Anne found great joy in treating their children and grandsons to trips to Gulf Shores, Alabama where they loved to be together at the beach.Edmund Johnston was a profoundly 'other oriented' person who had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone he encountered. He was a man of character and integrity who was admired and abundantly loved. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was not only a loving father and grandfather, but also a spiritual father and grandfather, endeavoring to raise his family in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret Craig Johnston and Joseph Edmund Johnston, Sr.

He is survived by his wife Betty Anne Buchanan Johnston, sister Barksdale Johnston Crosland, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Buddy and Luran Buchanan all of Jackson. He is also survived by daughters Margaret Anne Forester (Marcy) of Jackson, Becky Newman (Don) of Memphis, TN, and son Jed Johnston of Sarasota, FL. He was the proud grandfather of seven grandsons: Davidson Forester (Angela), Matthew Forester, Andrew Forester, Nathan Wall (Robyn), Clayton Wall, Bennett Johnston, and Harrison Johnston.Visitation will be from 5pm - 7pm Thursday, August 4 at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. Private Interment at Wright and Ferguson Parkway Memorial Cemetery at 9am Friday, with funeral to follow at First Presbyterian Church at 11am. His fellow elders at First Presbyterian Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, Reformed Theological Seminary, Belhaven University, or Gateway Rescue Mission.