Allen Johnston

Allen Sidney Johnston was born on December 11, 1931 in Mexia, Texas in the home of his paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Sidney Johnston, Sr. He was the first child born to Sidney & Dorothy Johnston and his only sibling, Jan, was born the following year. Allen graduated from Mexia High School in 1948 as a member of the undefeated Blackcat football team. He remained lifelong friends with many of these teammates. Shortly after high school, he joined the US Air Force during the Korean War, and was stationed in Britain and Germany. Upon his return home from service, he met and married Joy Paris of Coolidge. They were married 61 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jan Johnston Cairns. He is survived by his wife, Joy, five children, 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. *Kent, the eldest, and wife Pam. Their 4 sons: Kody & Erin Johnston, Kole & Erica Johnston, Clay Johnston, and Cade Johnston *Jana and husband Kirk Raymond. Their children: Kara Cook and her children Jackson and Kyrksen, David & Maddi Raymond and their children Noah, Brody and Erin Kate, and Merrie & Cameron Sellstrom *Lori and husband Steve Knight. Their children: Kendra & Ian Gilpatrick and children Ian Ryan and Darby, Tyler & Maggie Knight, and Meg Knight *Karen and husband Dave Chilcoat. Their children: Coleton, Noelle & Braxton Brown, Haley Brown, Kallie Brown, Sara & Cody Williams, Ryan Chilcoat and Sydney Chilcoat *Karmen and husband Mitch Holeyfield. Their children: Jake & Mindy Wilson and children Mollie and Rance, Luke & Miranda Wilson and children Cade and Carly, Jared Holeyfield, Sydney Holeyfield, and Jacob Holeyfield. Mr. Johnston is also survived by one niece, Nancy Reed, three nephews, Wayne Paris, Trent Paris and Drake Paris and his brother-in-law, Kenneth W. Paris. Allen will be remembered for his kind heart, gracious spirit and his genuine and determined faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a lifelong Methodist, taught Sunday School, and an early morning Sunday class, The Early Birds, for many years. He was filled with love and generously shared his love with all he knew. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck with Rev. Steve Nance officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Coolidge Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. In honor of his great-granddaughter, Darby Laine Gilpatrick, memorials are encouraged to the SMA Foundation: CureSMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 or www.curesma.org.