Johns
WAYCROSS — We will love and miss, Eugene Johns, age 82, of Waycross who passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Hospice House Satilla.
Born September 3, 1942, in Millwood, Johns was the son of the late Lois Alvin Johns and Mahala Christine White Johns. He was the sixth of 10 children.
Following graduation from Ware County High School, Johns enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for 20 years. He worked, traveled and lived across the world, first in Thailand and Belgium during his early career and then back to the United States. He served in Hawaii, Panama City, Fla., Warner Robins (Ga.) AFB, Lubbock, Texas and finally retired in Charleston, S.C., as a Master Sergeant in 1980.
Johns took every opportunity to come home, see his family and spend time with them whenever possible. After retirement from the Air Force, he returned to Waycross in 1986. He met and married Gail Vining Johns and went to work for the Georgia Department of Corrections.
After 17 years of service, Johns retired from the State of Georgia and continued to work on his farm in Waycross. He would spend endless hours in his bird yard, working with chickens, quail, ducks, geese, turkeys and peacocks. He also had goats and cows, and enjoyed the opportunities farm life provided him.
Johns was a strong and loving husband, son, dad, grandpa and brother. He was hard-working and strong, always there to help, give advice and provide guidance when needed. He was a man of few words, but he loved his family and enjoyed his life.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his siblings, William Alvin Johns, J.L. “Vern” (Jaunell) Johns, Waunell Corbitt Johns, Connie Ophelia Johns, Robert L. Johns, Willie Earl Johns, Henry Ferrell Johns and Nelson Edwin Johns; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Gail Vining Johns of Waycross; three daughters, Shelly Renee Johns (Michael Schlachton) of Washington, Okla., Janet Joiner (Bobby Joiner) of Waycross, and Cheryl Varnadore (Michael Varnadore) of Waycross; and a son, Terry Johns of Eufaula, Okla.; a sister, Barbara Ann Wall of Pearson; two sisters-inlaw, Mary Johns and Jeanette Lee of Waycross; grandchildren, Joshua Randall Johns (Shauna Baugh), Cassie Johns, Haley Crews (Kyle Crews), Tyler Prevatt, Lexie Joiner, and Evan Joiner; great grandchildren Donovan Davis, Kyler Baugh, Blaze Baugh, Heidi Davis, and Kade Crews; as well as a large number of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and several other relatives.
The family wants to acknowledge Crystal Wilder and Visiting Angels for all the care and assistance over the last year, as well as Satilla Hospice House and its caring staff. We are so grateful for the care, love and compassion provided to our loved one and our family.
A graveside service was held Saturday, May 31 at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to his tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome. com.
Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
