John Emmett Johnston

John Emmett Johnston, 74, of Russellville, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville. He was born November 25, 1946, in Russellville, son of the late James Emmett and Betty Jane Reynolds Johnston. He was a member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church and owned and operated the Oak Grove Market. He taught and coached at Atkins, Konawa (Oklahoma), and Pottsville High Schools. He graduated from Kings City High School in Kings City, California, and from Arkansas Tech University with a teaching degree in 1969. He received his master’s from Southwestern College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and started the Oak Grove Singers group in 1966. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jan Duvall Johnston; 2 sons, Brad Johnston and wife Daina of Springdale, and Jamie Johnston and wife Christi of Russellville; a grandson, Jace Johnston; 2 granddaughters, Megan and Hannah Johnston; and a brother, Mike Johnston of Oak Grove. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 13 at Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Simmons and Rev. Johnny McCoy officiating. Burial is in St. Joe Cemetery under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Pallbearers are Danny Johnston, Tony Bench, Bobby Jo Downum, Tim Hays, Jeff Duvall and Brent Hottinger. Honorary pallbearers are Jack George, Paul Wayne Duvall, Dennis Johnston, Jackie Randall Duvall, Walter Ramsey, and Tommy Kinslow. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church, P.O. Box 324, Atkins, AR, 72823. Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.