Norma Jean Johnston

Norma Jean Johnston, 79, of Batavia, Ohio, formerly of Poplar Bluff and Ft. Leavenworth, Kans., died Friday, July 25, 2008, at Mercy Clermont Hospital, in Batavia.

Mrs. Johnston was born July 29, 1928, in Poplar Bluff. She was a member of Owensville United Methodist Church, in Owensville, Ohio where she was active in the outreach program for the poor and needy and operated the food bank. Mrs. Johnston had retired as retail manager for the Army-Air Force Exchange Service, in Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Johnston enjoyed being with her family, her church family, and helping others.

On Nov. 23, 1946, she married Joseph Roy Johnston, in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death in Feb. 17, 1988.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph Wayne Johnston and wife Vicki, of Williamsburg, Ohio and John Wesley Johnston and wife Susan, of Leavenworth, Kans.; 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Arlene Stout, of Bonne Terre; and a brother, Jimmy Brannum, of Poplar Bluff.

Her parents, James Gilbert and Dorothy (Loge) Brannum and brother Donald Jerry Brannum preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Burial will be at City Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.