Barbara Joan Zakary Johnston

Barbara Joan Zakary Johnston, age 80, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 5:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Lee Stevenson and Melinda Britt officiating. A visitation will also be held on Saturday from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on September 21, 1941, in Mobile, Alabama, Barbara was the daughter of the late Louis R. Zakary and the late Margaret Sue Radcliff Zakary. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama Huntsville and her master's degree in psychiatric nursing from the University of Alabama Birmingham. She worked her entire career as a registered nurse before retiring.

Barbara married Ronald “Ronny” Frank Johnston on December 29, 1984; he preceded her in death on January 10, 2022. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was a prayer minister and a member of the choir. Very musically inclined, she loved to sing and play the piano. Barbara often enjoyed visiting the shut-ins and picking blueberries at the river. Above all, she loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Joan Margaret DeVoe of California, Brian Charles (Sue) Rushing of Pennsylvania, Susanne Elise Rushing of Lancaster, TN, Randel (Molly) Johnston of Columbia, TN, brothers, Raymond Zakary, Felix Jay Zakary, sister, Miriam Brown, grandchildren, Amanda, Kat, Cindy, Patrick, Charlie, Mack, Lily, Katie, Marvel, and Ronin, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.