Joy Anne Johnston

Joy Anne Johnston, 89, of Rosedale passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026. She was born August 1, 1936, in Greene County, to Darrell and Dorothy Gabbard. Joy married Jack R. Johnston on May 20, 1965, and spent nearly 61 years together. She graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Joy taught school for a year and a half in Terre Haute and twenty-seven years in Rosedale. She retired from Southwest Parke School Corporation. Over the years, she participated in choirs, played the organ for the First Baptist Church in Linton, taught Sunday School, and sang in the Billy Graham Crusade Choir in Chicago. Joy was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church of Terre Haute. She was also a member of Centenary Prayer Shawl Ministry knitting group, Centenary Prayer Chain, Retired Teachers Association, and the Senior Volunteer Program for Western Indiana Community Agency, Inc. (WICAA). She will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Joy is survived by her beloved husband Jack, son Rob Johnston (Janette), daughter Roberta Wagner (Paul), sister Charlotte Watkins, grandchildren Diego Johnston, Antonio Johnston, Brianna Johnston, Marco Johnston, Gwen Drake (Matt), Nathan Dugger (Brittney), and Madison Moore (Daniel); great-grandchildren Colt Drake, Callie Drake, Coby Drake, Chipper Drake, Easton Dugger, and Emory Dugger; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ron Gabbard.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 21, 2026, at DeBaun Springhill Chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Service will begin at the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Deb Moore-Hardin officiating. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

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