Jeannie Estella Johnston

Mrs. Jeannie Estella Brown Johnston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 17, at Wilkes Assisted Living. She was a devoted daughter and a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.

A private funeral service will be conducted by the Reverend Dr. Michael Martin.

Jeannie was born on June 18,1933 in Wilkes County to William Ray and Eulala Roberts Brown.

She was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church but regularly attended worship services at the Villages of Wilkes. She was an avid reader of the Holy Bible and enjoyed discussing scripture with her friend, Donna Prevette. Her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was evident in her words and in the Christian symbols with which she surrounded herself.

Jeannie was a homemaker for most of her adult life but did hold two positions in the public workforce. She was employed as an egg inspector for Chick Haven Eggs and as an office manager for Burris Express during the latter operation of their North Wilkesboro freight terminal.

Jeannie was both talented and resourceful. She was an accomplished seamstress, making everything from curtains to cheerleading uniforms, formal dresses, and a wedding gown. She was adept at crochet, creating both large and small clothing projects. She was a skilled painter and had a gift for floral design. She possessed the proverbial “green thumb” that equipped her to grow any plant, flower, or vegetable. Jeannie was also a tenacious problem-solver. She enjoyed the challenge of finding a solution for any household issue, crossword, or puzzle.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of fifty-eight years, Arlie Eugene Johnston. In addition, she was preceded by her siblings, Burette Brown, Edna Brown Clonch, and Elbert Brown.

Jeannie is survived by her daughter, Loretta Johnston Fulbright, and husband Bryan Fulbright of Lexington; granddaughter, Laura Fulbright, and husband Dr. Andrew Monteith of Knoxville, TN; grandson, Matthew Fulbright, and wife Tori Rhinehart Fulbright of Charlotte; and two great-grand dogs, Roxy and Maverick.

The family wishes to acknowledge Wilkes Assisted Living personnel. Many thanks to Kendra Byrd, Dr. Susan Albert, Janice Cheek, and all of the wonderful staff members who lovingly and compassionately cared for Jeannie on a daily basis. A special thank you to Kaison Shepard (Mr. Peabody, as Jeannie so fondly nicknamed him). The family would also like to thank the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice for their genuine concern and compassion. Many heartfelt thanks to Nurse Christie for her exemplary care and loving kindness. No words can express our sincere gratitude to all of you.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice at PO Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017 or Wilkes Assisted Living at 206 Old Brickyard Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659—Attention: Kendra Byrd.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeannie Estella Johnston, please visit our floral store.