Bernice K. Johnston

Bernice K. Johnston, age 101, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022, in Winter Haven. She was born February 28, 1921, in Gordon County, Georgia. Bernice resided in Bartow for over 62 years. She was the Administrator's Assistant at Bartow Memorial Hospital for over ten years. After retirement, Bernice continued to volunteer hours for the Bartow Regional Medical Center's Auxiliary. Over her lifetime, she was a Mariner Scout Troop Leader, an active member of numerous clubs and civic organizations, including the Bartow Garden Club, the Junior Gardeners at First Methodist School, Rotary Ann Ladies' Auxiliary (recipient of the Paul Harris Rotary Club Award), Engineers Wives' Club, the Loyal Gleaners Sunday School Class and Triple LLL at First Baptist Church. She was a devoted, longtime member of First Baptist Church of Bartow, regularly serving in the church nursery, rearranging, and delivering sanctuary flowers to homebound members of the church. She worked diligently as the longest volunteer of her local chapter of the American Cancer Society and was instrumental in the success of Making Strides Against Cancer Walks and the Relay for Life events. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, J.C. "Jake" Johnston; brothers: Arnold Robbins, Wesley Robbins and John Robbins Williamson; sisters: Marcella Robbins and Miriam Bowman. Bernice and Jake raised three daughters, Sandra Bush (Ron) of Winter Haven, Beverly Stidham (Mac) of Columbia, SC, and Paula White (Steve McNutt) of Bartow. She is survived by six grandchildren: Michael Stalvey of Birmingham, AL, Leslie Stidham Lenhardt (Cody) of Charleston, SC, Reese Stidham of Charleston, SC, Katie Stakeley (Chris) of Newberry, Jennifer Green of Cincinnati, OH, Kristen Green Bloodworth of Bartow, thirteen great grandchildren: Nicki, Dylan, Ann, Jake, Madelyn, Cody, Bratten, Baylor, Quinn, Camp, Fitz, Mac, Caleb, as well as a sister, Doris McClesky of South Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews. Bernice had a passion for serving and caring for family and friends throughout her life. She was foremost a loving spouse, devoted mother, homemaker, babysitter, caregiver, and a faithful servant of our Lord. The family gives their heartfelt thanks to Bernice's caregivers, Barbara Cobb of Wauchula, and Sharon Campbell of Bartow, who devotedly cared for Bernice in the last stage of her life. A service of remembrance will be 10:00 am Monday, October 10, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, 410 East Church Street in Bartow, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations may be made in Bernice's memory to Good Shepherd Hospice and the First Baptist Church of Bartow. "But we remember now in love, Your life from start to end, And we're just glad we knew you, as Mother, and as Friend."