Carol Leona Johnston
May 25, 1943 – January 19, 2024
Carol L. Johnston, aged 80, of Summerfield, FL., passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2024 at the E.W. and Lucille Cates Hospice House. She was surrounded by the love of her family.
Born May 25, 1943, at home, in rural Green County, IN. to William Knight and Maysel (nee Atkins). Carol attended, but did not graduate, from Campbellsburg High School. Just shy of her graduation, she was sent, by her family, to work as a mother’s helper in Chicago. One of the proudest moments later in her life was earning a GED with very high scores.
Carol was a homemaker, but also worked for many years at Whispering Pines Nursery in Dona Vista, where she earned her extensive “green thumb.” When nursery work became physically challenging, she migrated to the security industry. Working first as a security guard, and then as the assistant director of operations, Carol worked for several security agencies in the Ocala area for many years, before her retirement in 2011. Some may remember her from Monroe Hospital, Woodland Villages, or Glen Hill Farms.
Carol is survived by her three children; Mark of Only, TN, Donna (Terry) of Crest Hill, IL, and Charles (Samantha) of Reddick, FL. Also surviving is her older brother, William Knight (Dorothy) of Mountain Home, ID, sister Janet Knight of Scottsburg, IN, and her sister in law, Verla Knight of Scottsburg, IN. Carol is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by several stepchildren and step grandchildren.
Carol is also survived by special friend Mimi (George), and her caregiver, Isabel.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather James Babbs, and stepmother Mildred Knight. She is also preceded by husbands Virgil Gambrel, Robert Courtney, and John Johnston, Sr. She is preceded by her sister and brother in law Betty and Bob Sharpe, sister and brother in law, Helen and Junior Pittman, sister Esther, and brother and sister in law, Thomas and Debbie. She is also preceded by a brother, Butch. Preceded by a sister in infancy, Janet Eileen.
Funeral Services will be held at:
Robert’s of Ocala, West Chapel
6241 SW State Road 200
Ocala FL 34476
Visitation Thursday, Jan 25th 5-7 pm
Funeral Service Friday, Jan 26th 10 am
Graveside Service: 12 Noon
Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens
5050 SW 20th St.
Ocala, FL 34474
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.