Jerry Garlyn Johnson

Jerry Garlyn Johnson, age 85, passed from this earthly life on Friday, September 4, 2026, at his home in Beau Ridge, Oxford, Mississippi.  Jerry was born March 28, 1941, in Grenada, Mississippi the son of John Darling Johnson and Eva Anthony Johnson.

Jerry attended The University of Southern Mississippi, where he majored in business.  He also continued graduate classes in banking and finance in Madison, Wisconsin.  In 1965 he began a long and successful career in banking.  Through the years of dedication and leadership, Jerry and his family moved to Bruce in 1980 where he became a part of the town and community serving his community and fellowman.  Jerry became branch President of the Bank of Mississippi in Bruce in 1980.  Jerry also proudly served his country as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving in the communications unit and later being honorably discharged from duty after serving his country.  His commitment to his community was evident throughout his life, and he also served as President of the Rotary Clubs in both Grenada and Bruce, Mississippi.  He lived the Rotary motto, "Service above self, he profits most who serves the best".

Outside of his professional and community life, Jerry enjoyed the simple things that brought him happiness.  He loved family, playing golf, fishing for bream, working on the blueberry farm, cooking and growing vegetables.  He was also known for brewing his own "life-altering concoctions", a pastime that brought plenty of stories, laughter, and memories to those who knew him.  Throughout his life, Jerry was a man of strong faith, where he valued hard work, family, community, and the enjoyment found in a life well lived. Jerry and Ruth attended College Hill Presbyterian Church where they were involved in church ministry.  Jerry had a way of making memories along the way and including others in his life.  His family will remember not only his accomplishments, but the man behind them.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, John Darling Johnson; his mother, Eva Anthony Johnson; and his first wife, Dianna Brooks Johnson.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a brother.  He is survived by his wife, Ruth Carnathan Johnson of Oxford; his children, Jerry Johnson Jr. (Angela) of McComb, Mississippi, and Sabrina Johnson Orr (Mike) of Nashville, Tennessee; John Carnathan (Polly), Robert Carnathan (Carmen), and Leslie Carnathan-Robinson; and his sister, June Johnson of Charleston, South Carolina.  His grandchildren include Jerry Johnson Jr.'s children, Britian Howell (Andrew) and Harper Johnson, and Sabrina's children Braxton Orr and Jon Mikel Orr. Jerry also leaves behind four great- grandchildren to carry on his memory and legacy.

A memorial service to honor Jerry's memory and life will be Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Parker Memorial Funeral Home.  Pastor Ryan Dean and Alan Cochet will be delivering the tribute to Jerry's life.

Jerry's life and the memories he created will continue to live on through the family and friends who knew and loved him.

Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the Johnson family in their time of need.