Linda Jean Johnston

Linda Jean Johnston's spirit transitioned onward July 1, 2025, just short of her 84th birthday, defying all odds against a hereditary rare kidney disease that she embraced and triumphed over for decades. She leaves ripples in her wake of many who knew and loved her. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone - but woven into the lives of others" - Thucydides

Linda was born in Jacksonville, Florida, August 5, 1941 to Clayton Seyler Johnston, Sr. and Martha Jean Self Johnston also natives of Jacksonville, Florida (both deceased). She was an exceptionally encouraging mother of three children; Lavada Jean "Jeannie" Pittman Walden of Pensacola, Clarence Elliott (Anita) Pittman, Jr. of Callahan, Clara Elaine "Dusty" (Bill) Pittman McCollum of Naples, grandmother to 8, great grandmother to 9 with one on the way! She was the oldest of 9 siblings with whom she had a close bond; four sisters; Mary Ann Johnston and predeceased Irene Johnston, Sandra Johnston Schmidt, and Carol Elaine Johnston. Four brothers; Ronald Charles (Shelley) Johnston, Karl Mason (Heather) Johnston, Richard Glen (Renae) Johnston and predeceased Clayton (Anne) Seyler Johnston, Jr.. Linda also leaves behind a very special and committed soul companion of more than 18 years, Jan Palland, a native of Denmark and US Citizen who resides in Detroit and shares her passion for birding and nature. Linda also joins and leaves behind much beloved cousins, nieces and nephews that meant much to her and joins one special Aunt - her ballet instructor of over 13 years; Thelma Johnston Terrell Baggs.

Linda was a friend for life to many - since elementary, high school, her co-workers, and remarkable friends from a lifetime of active social adventures and her sorority sisters of Beta Sigma Phi. She attended an international private college preparatory boarding school; Montverde Academy as well as Lee High School. She furthered her education at Jacksonville Community College and a Community College in Michigan.

Linda was a lover of the sea, nature, and a member of the Audubon Society for over half her life, an accomplished cook (she always praised her late mother in law whom she loved dearly, Madeline Lavada Pittman of Callahan), she was a member of Callahan's powder puff football team, home extension club and an accomplished ballroom dancer for many decades. She was also an avid reader, gardener, and lover of puzzles, antiquing, sailing (she owned a sailboat), shark tooth hunter, jogger, walker, avid crocheter and knitter (she donated many items to hospitals) and participant of many exercise programs including water aerobics where she met life-long friends as well. Linda worshiped in her youth at Murray Hill Baptist Church, and then as a mother with her family at Callahan First Baptist. In her later years, she attended Renaissance Unity Interfaith in Michigan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in All Saints Episcopal Church (Rogers Parish Hall), located at 4171 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL. Inurnment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider Linda's wish that donations be made to Wake Forest Rare Inherited Kidney Disease Direct my gift to: "Nephrology- Bleyer Inherited Kidney Disease Fund". To make a gift by mail, please make a check payable to: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. On the info line please write "Bleyer Inherited Kidney Disease fund" in order to route it directly. Mail to: Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021.

Dr. Anthony Bleyer and the Wake Forest Rare Inherited Kidney Disease Research Team in their condolences included a statement that mother was instrumental to their research.