October 7, 1934 - March 1, 2026
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusted in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 kjv
“And now abideth faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 kjv
Joyce Louise Johnson went home to be with her Lord, on the early Sabbath morning of March 1, 2026. She was born the youngest of four children to William Cudmore and Alice Gertrude MacPhail on October 7, 1934, in Brockton, Massachusetts. Joyce graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Boston University in 1956. She then moved to New York City to teach first grade where she would later meet a young, handsome pilot and fall deeply in love. She married Paul Conrad Johnson on June 27,1959, in a storybook, double wedding ceremony with her beloved sister, Marilyn. Some years later, they were invited by dear friends to a Bible Study. It was there that they were drawn to know the true lover of their souls and their life trajectory began to change, as Paul went on to seminary. Together they had four children, Wendy, Terri, Brett, and Kurt and were actively engaged in their various churches throughout the years. Joyce served as Director of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Nursery and Daycare in Chattanooga,Tennessee from 1979 to 1984. In 1985 they moved to Florida and Joyce began The Children’s Castle Preschool, Inc. of Lighthouse Point. After her sister passed away in 1995, she both looked after her mother and became a ‘second mom’ to Marilyn’s children, Jodi, Marc, and Jon. Joyce truly loved being with family. She was a devoted wife, a Godly mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She thoroughly enjoyed entertaining family and friends, playing cards with her grandchildren late into the evenings, gardening and planting flowers, spending time on the sailboat in Florida and on the pontoon boat in Tennessee, driving through the mountains on their motorcycle and riding with the top down in their jeep. She kindly cared for her friends, neighbors and Sunday School members. To know Joyce, was to be seen, heard, loved, and prayed for.
She is survived by her children: Wendy Laman (Steve), Terri Edwards (Tom), Brett Johnson (Pam); her honorary children, Jodi Jantomaso, Marc Jantomaso (Carrie), and Jon Jantomaso (Deanna); her grandchildren, Cortney Horne, Kristen Casteel (John), Hunter Johnson (Jessica); and honorary grandchildren, Joelle (Corey), and Jesalyn Jantomaso, Justin, Noah, Charis, Sophia, Elijah, Nehemiah, Josiah, Luke and Andrew Jantomaso, Justina, Hannah, and Carihana Jantomaso; her great grandchildren, Wyeth, Knox, Kishan, and Anna Casteel, Anna and Julie Johnson; as well as, the Gordon MacPhail family of Sarasota, Florida and the Stanley MacPhail family of Brockton, Massachusetts. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Johnson, and siblings, Gordon MacPhail, Stanley MacPhail, and Marilyn Jantomaso.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 6 at 10:30 am in the chapel of the Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920, officiated by Rev. John Casteel. To attend the service via Live Stream, use this link and password:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87018707266 Password 030626
Following the service, family and friends are invited to the home of Wendy and Steve Laman for a luncheon reception located at 197 Lillard, Lane, Louisville, Tennessee, 37777. The immediate family will gather for a quiet Committal Service at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Johnson family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
