Charles Johnston Obituary

Tupelo - Charles Arnold Johnston passed away, heard the trumpets resound, and stood before Jesus while at Frank's Green House at United Methodist Senior Services (Traceway) in Tupelo, MS on February 15, 2026, following a brief illness.

He was born on November 24, 1933, in the Brewer Community near Shannon, MS to Lawrence Arnold Johnston and Ruth Rowena Gregory Johnston. Shortly before Charles' 10th birthday in 1943, the family moved to Verona, MS to operate a grocery store there for two years. During those years, Charles began attending the 7th grade and subsequent high school years in the Tupelo City School system from which he graduated in June of 1951. In the fall following high school graduation, Charles began college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering in June of 1955 with a cum laude Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a proud Commodore trombonist with the Vanderbilt Marching Band. At the same time, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corp of Engineers.

Two weeks after graduation, Charles married Alice Joyce Causey of Five Points, AL. Joyce and Charles then moved to Detroit where he began his job with the Engineering Division of Chrysler Corporation. The job included participation in the Chrysler Institute of Engineering which was a Chrysler Corporation program involving 2 years of classroom study and hands-on experience in a variety of Engineering Division departments. At the conclusion of this 2-year program the Chrysler Institute of Engineering conferred on each student a Master's Degree in Automotive Engineering. His thesis was a meticulous design, test, and recommendation of seat belt safety systems. All the executives liked his thesis and told him so in a variety of memos. Those seatbelt designs originated from the pilot's seat of his beloved J3 Piper Cub. There were only two engineers and a secretary in the Safety Department at that time. The degree was conferred in a ceremony on June 12, 1957.

While living in the Detroit area, Charles and Joyce joined the Metropolitan Methodist Church on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. They also welcomed their daughter, Lynn Frances Johnston on March 27, 1957, and she was later Christened in that church.

Joyce and Charles then reported to Fort Belvoir, VA on June 17, 1957, 5 days after Charles' Master's Degree was conferred, where he began active-duty service in the US Army Corp of Engineers. After completing his active duty, Charles transferred to the US Army Reserves where he participated for 10 plus years. While Charles had the option of returning to Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, he instead accepted a position with Hayes Aircraft Corporation in the space program division located in Huntsville, AL at the end of January 1958. There he worked in the Design Section of the Test Laboratory. After being with Hayes Aircraft Corporation for several months, he joined NASA where he worked on the Propulsion Systems and Launch Pad Design of America's mighty Saturn V rocket and the Apollo space program.

While living in Huntsville, the family joined the Holmes Street Methodist Church. They also welcomed their son, Gregory Charles Johnston on April 9, 1959, and he was later Christened in that church. The family later moved their membership to Trinity Methodist Church in Huntsville.

Charles and his family moved from Huntsville to Tupelo MS in 1964, where Charles became involved in various groups and committees within the First United Methodist Church including the adult choir as well as various finance groups. Charles had a long-time association with First United Methodist - his family first joined the church in 1945, where Charles was active in youth programs and youth choirs during his teenage years.

In 1983 Charles was appointed as Chairman of the Finance Committee - a position he held for 25 years. He later was appointed as Chairman of the Endowment Committee for 10 years. Charles served as a volunteer at both FUMC Helping Hands Ministry and the Tree of Life Free Clinic since inception of these two programs.

In February 2007, Joyce and Charles were named Tupelo Junior Auxiliary Outstanding Citizens. Charles received his Eagle Scout award from Troop 12 in the spring of 1951. He later served as a member of the Boy Scout Board of Review. He also served as a supporting parent during the years that his son Greg participated in Troop 12 and later received his Eagle Scout Award as well.

Charles is survived by his wife of 72 years and eternal best friend, Alice Joyce Causey Johnston, his son and daughter-in-law, Gregory Charles Johnston and Kathy Goss Johnston, and his granddaughter, Joyce Kathleen Johnston, all of Austin, TX; his grandsons Bennett Charles Stavely, Daniel Causey Stavely, and Michael Cleveland Stavely of Pensacola, FL; his nieces, Laura Champion Hall of Decatur, GA and Annette Causey Weathers of Alexander City, AL, and his nephew Eric Causey of Columbus, GA. He is preceded in death by his daughter Dr. Lynn Frances Johnston of Pensacola, FL, his sister Annette Johnston Champion of Oxford, MS, his nephews John William Champion of Senatobia, MS, Dave Causey of Alexander City, AL, Alan Montgomery Causey of Columbus, GA, and his Brothers-in-Law, William Montgomery Champion of Oxford, MS, Dr. William Byron Causey of Alexander City, AL, and Robert Morris Causey of Columbus, GA.

A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at 11 AM Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo, with private family burial to follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will take place in the Gathering Room at the church beginning 10 AM. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to be serving the friends and family.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BAvQ62BbK/