Jane Y. Johnston

Jane Yarborough Johnston passed away peacefully October 13, 2020 at Station Exchange Senior Care, Richmond Hill, GA. Jane was born on December 15, 1934 in Raleigh, NC to beloved parents William Henry Yarborough, Jr. (1908-1964) and Jeanie Cronly Boatwright Yarborough (1912-1986). She was baptized as an infant at St. James Episcopal Church, in Wilmington, NC. She was predeceased by an infant brother, William Henry Yarborough, III (1939-1941).

Jane was raised in Raleigh but spent a memorable period of her youth during World War II at her mother's family's home place in Wilmington, NC with her grandmother, mother, infant sister, aunts and cousins. Though there were hardships, war shortages of basic goods, and blackout curtains in this seaside town, those days among extended family were often recalled with fondness, with day trips to Wrightsville Beach that instilled a lifelong love of beach trips with family which she enjoyed even in the year before her death.

Jane graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC in 1952 and attended Women's College, now University of North Carolina - Greensboro. On October 29, 1955 she married James Warren Armfield (1930-1975) of High Point, NC and moved to Hampton, South Carolina and then on to Chicago, Illinois. In 1960, the Armfields moved back to North Carolina settling in Jamestown.

Jane moved to Greensboro, NC in 1978. In 1983, she married Francis Edward (Ed) Johnston, III and moved to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia with her youngest daughter. She and Ed enjoyed 36 years of marriage until his death on May 20, 2020. During her years in Savannah, she worked at Gilbert Realty Co. and Shuptrine Company. She embraced the city as well as the surrounding islands and enjoyed learning from the locals, including Ed's extended family and favorite cousins Noel and Ruthie Wright of Isle of Hope, about all things Savannah.

Jane's passion in life was her family, and she raised five children, being instrumental in teaching them the life skills of perseverance and independence in addition to her own loves of cooking, baking, knitting, quilting and gardening. It was her great joy that her children and many of her grandchildren enjoy these pastimes today. She spent many hours using her skills in her work at St. George Episcopal Church in Savannah, GA, where she and Ed joined after their marriage, in her work with the Altar Guild and various hospitality committees. Her church life was rich with friendships. She was also an election poll worker in Chatham County, Georgia for many years, where her attention to detail, her intellect, and her strict sense of organization, rules and law were no doubt valued on each election day.

Jane is survived by her five children and their spouses, Julie Carper (Kenny) of Greensboro, NC, Will Armfield (Cindy) of High Point, NC, Eddie Armfield (Shannon) of Roswell, GA, John Armfield (Robin) of Raleigh, NC, and Betsy Collins (Mickey) of Richmond Hill, GA; grandchildren, William Armfield (Katelyn), Raymond Carper, Mason Carper (Molly), Nolan Carper, Hailey Fisher (Eric), Ashley Armfield, Grace Armfield, Jim Armfield (Mallory), Anna Armfield, Trey Collins, Warren Collins, Jefferson Collins, and Janie Collins; great-grandchildren, Victoria and Caroline Armfield; stepdaughter, Nina Bland (Kenny) of Guyton, GA; sister Mary Wiatt Partin of Birmingham, AL; many cousins and other extended family members.

The family would like to thank Jane's many caregivers during the last year, including Station Exchange staff namely Doris, Diane, Falguni, Tatiana, Tywanda, April, Madison, Cheri, and Jasmine; Georgia Living Senior Home Care staff namely Jason, Melissa, Dorothy and India; and Spanish Oaks Hospice, namely Nico and Carmelita.

Memorial services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel Bryan Chapel. A walk-through visitation will be held after the service.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating at the service will be limited. The public is invited to watch the service via Livestream at www.facebook.com/cfhbchapel2. Social distancing will be observed, and the wearing of masks is required. 

Memorials can be made in Jane's memory to the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, Station Exchange Senior Care or to Spanish Oaks Hospice.

Carter Funeral Home Bryan Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carterbryanchapel.com.