Janice Johnston

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Janice Sue Allen Johnston, 75, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 30, 2026, after suffering a severe stroke three weeks earlier. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her three remaining children and several of her grandchildren.

Born on December 17, 1950, in Mansfield, Missouri, Janice was the fourth child of Murphy and Natalie Allen. If there was one thing that defined her life, it was the way she loved people. Whether you were family, a lifelong friend, or someone she had only recently met, she had a way of making you feel like you belonged. She genuinely cared about people, and they knew it.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Edward Johnston; her eldest son, Adrian; her parents, Murphy and Natalie Allen; her sister, Shirley; her brother, Wilbur; her sister-in-law, Rosalie Johnston Samons; and her brother-in-law, Thurman Sorrell.

She is survived by her children: Stephanie and Matt Sorrell, Kristy and Weston Probst, and Clint and Brooke Johnston. She was an incredibly proud grandmother to 16 grandchildren: Kendra, Dylan and wife, Isabel, Winston and wife, Jordan, Shea, Kaysha, Chantry, Karissa, Tytus, Bentley, Jace, Kallie, Khloie, and Kynlie. 1 great grandchild little Asher Matthew. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Sorrell; her sister, Jeanie Samons and husband, Toney; her brother, Terry Allen and wife, Nancy; her brother-in-law, Ben Johnston and wife, Linda; her brother-in-law, Steve Johnston and wife, Janet; brother-in-law, John Samons; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved dearly.

On November 4, 1972, Janice married the love of her life, Edward. Together they built a home where faith came first, laughter was never in short supply, and everyone was welcome. Their family was their greatest joy. Holidays were celebrated, birthdays were never forgotten, and ordinary days somehow became special simply because they were together. Life took Janice and Edward to North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, though Missouri would always be home. Together they built a family rooted in faith, loyalty, and love. She loved singing to her children and grandchildren and had a special tenderness for little ones. She taught more by the way she lived than by the words she spoke. Her kindness, generosity, and steady faith left fingerprints on the lives of everyone she loved.Janice was a lifelong member of the Church of God. 

During the 30 years she lived in Neosho, she faithfully loved and served her church family. She didn't seek recognition. She simply saw needs and quietly met them. Her faith wasn't something she just talked about-it was evident in the way she treated people every day.

In the early 1990s, Janice began losing her eyesight and eventually became completely blind. While blindness was no doubt a challenge; she never lost her compassion, sense of humor, or her desire to serve others. Most importantly she never lost her faith.Though she could no longer see faces, she somehow recognized what people were carrying in their hearts. She knew when someone needed encouragement, when someone needed prayer, or when someone simply needed to know they weren't alone.

One of the things everyone admired about Janice was her remarkable memory. She remembered birthdays, anniversaries, favorite meals, stories from years before, and countless little details that made people feel known along with so many thoughtful gifts through the years. She always found a way to make you feel loved and special. If you knew Janice well, chances are you were the recipient of her thoughtfulness. Janice appreciated a good joke and never missed the chance to laugh with the people around her. Even after losing her eyesight, she continued planning family gatherings, helping with weddings, graduations, birthdays, and holidays. She found joy in bringing people together. Her home wasn't remembered because it was perfect-it was remembered because it was filled with love.There will never be another Janice. 

The phone calls and sometimes jumbled Siri voice texts will be missed. The thoughtful gifts, the laughter, the prayers, the family gatherings, and the quiet way she made everyone feel important will all be deeply missed. But the love she poured into others didn't end with her life. It lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and in every person who is better because they knew her.While our hearts are broken, we find peace in knowing exactly where she is. The woman who spent so many years walking by faith is now walking by sight. For the first time in decades, Janice is seeing every face, every color, and above all, the face of the Savior she loved so faithfully. We can only imagine the joy of her first long-awaited glance.