"No one will ever know such a wonderful woman as Johne Z. Church the first time I met her I was new to this family at least I was when I arrived at her house by the time I left I had felt like I have been a member of this family forever. She will be deeply missed, and I feel very blessed to have been part of her family. Even though our son is only 9 months old he will know his wonderful aunt Johne. I will love you until I see you again."
In loving memory of
Johne Z. Church
October 3, 1945 - January 7, 2009
Johne Z. Church, 63, our mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend was called home to be with her Lord and Savior to enjoy the rewards of her faithfulness while her devoted family was at her side Wednesday at 10:55 p.m. at Ball Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. Johne was born in Jonesville, Virginia to the late James Ezra and Mary T. (Fields) Sexton and was the third of five children. Johne married Charles R. Church January 9, 1964. He survives. Johne made her home in Matthews since 1974. She was a sales representative for over 20 years with Beckley Office Equipment, Kokomo retiring in 2007. She was a longtime active member of the Upland Community Church where she volunteered for many programs and enjoyed her "Bible Study Group" tremendously. Life was treasured by Johne who enjoyed genealogy, gardening, an afternoon matinee or just being with friends and family. It was important to her to "keep in touch" and through the years she enjoyed reminiscing with a group of her childhood friends from "back home". They called themselves the Ya'Ya's. Johne loved many things but her heavenly Father and her family were her joy. She was the light that brightened many lives but the eternal flame that will burn in her family's hearts and memories for generations to come. Together she and Charles had two children Charles Robert "Rob" (Barbara) Church, Pendleton, and Traci (Martin) Hearn, Upland. Additional survivors include three sisters, Jimmie (Michael) Woliver, Jonesville, VA, Billie (Johnny) Lester, Roanoke, VA, Connie Tabor, Jonesville, VA; a brother, Donald (Shirley) Sexton, Jonesville, VA; five grandchildren, Sarah, Emily, Tye (Ashley), Brandon, Kali; and two great grandchildren, Devin and Levi Leming. Memorials may be made to the Helping Hand Food Pantry, 439 W. Berry Ave., Upland, IN 46989. Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday January 12 , 2009 Upland Community Church 439 W. Berry Ave. Officiating: Dr. Jay Kesler, Rev. Bob Heilshorn, Rev. Charles Fields Pall Bearers: Tye Leming, Brandon Leming, Martin Hearn, Jamie Tabor, Larry Lloyd, Steve Leming Interment: Matthews Cemetery Matthews, Indiana Visitation: Sunday, 2 - 6 p.m. Jones-Smith Funeral Home 259 N. Main Street Upland, In 46989: and Monday 9:00 a.m. at the church.
Tributes
"I'll remember you Long after these winter days are gone I'll be lonely oh so lonely Living only to remember you I'll remember too Your voice as soft as the warm summer breeze Your sweet laughter, your eyes of blue Oh yes, I'll remember you Someday we'll meet again to stay Till then... I will remember too Every bright star we made wishes upon Country roads, and gentle rain Sunday walks down a country lane I will remember you Playing ball and laughing 'til dark I'll remember too All the good times I had with you Long after my tears are gone' I will remember you. I will remember you When summer comes again When grass is green and the skies are blue And the birds are singing I will remember you! Good bye Johne, I will see you on that resurrection morning! Love, James Sexton"
"Dear Family: I married Johne's first cousin James Sexton. I never was with Johne but very few times over the years. But she was the kind of person on meeting her that left a lifetime impression on you. When I first met her, I liked her right off. And she welcomed me to the family, like she had always known me. Always sent me a birthday card, and called James and me when she could. Johne had a way of drawing you into her heart. She's left such a precious, sweet, memory with me and also an empty place in my heart. But I know she is rejoicing in heaven even as I write this. I believe she is now one of the "cloud of witnesses" that the Bible speaks about. Johne lived a life that one can look at and say to themselves, "I want to live my life that way"! She was humble, funny, beautiful, sincere, always reaching out, and the cornerstone of the family! I will miss her! But my life is richer from knowing her! God bless all of you as I know you have lost a big part of your life! I believe all of us can say without a doubt, that heaven just became closer and a more dear to each of us as Johne is now waiting with open arms to meet us again. Love, Charlotte Sexton"
"Johne and I are true ya-ya sister friends. We go back to the eleme-ntry schools days and up. We played basketball,shared famlilies, laughted and cried together. There is no doubt in my mind we will be together again. We have lost a true friend and a great person. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Betty Jo"
"I am so sorry to hear of you loss. Johne always had a smile and good conversation. Heaven received a asset when Johne passed on. She will be missed, but not forgotten by anyone who new her."
"Traci, Marty and Family. We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. Your mom will be missed. We really appreciated the visits she made to our mom before she passed away. She was a very loving and caring person. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers."
"Johne was an angel on this side. She always reached out to others. She sent frequent cards of encouragement to my wife during her cancer battle. We loved her! She also was always concerned that the children of families in the community were taken care of during Christmas through the Helping Hand Ministry."
"There is no way to lessen the sorrow of losing someone so precious as a mom, grandmother, wife, classmate, cousin, and a great lady; because that what Johne was to me. Our prayers go out to the Church family as well as the Sexton's because we all know that Johne has been called home by Our Father In Heaven. We will always remember her here on planet earth but one day we will meet her again, thanks Johne for all the wonderful memories, your cous, Keith"
"We wanted to write and tell you how sorry we for your loss. There are never the right words to express how deeply sad we are that you have to endure your loss. Johne will be truly missed by everyone who knew her no matter where they crossed her path in life. May God give each of you the comfort and strength in the days ahead, as only HE can."
"We played together so many times when we were kids. We played and ate the honeysuckle dew off the honeysuckle flowers. Mary T., and them would come over almost every Sunday afternoon for dinner and all the kids played together. Mary T. had a chicken farm and had alot of of chickens and sold hatching eggs and a couple of times a year they'd change out the chickens; change out the old for the young and we'd have to catch all the chickens and put them in crates. We made a game out of it; who could catch the most chickens! For me they were very enjoyable times being with the cousins, playing and catching those chickens. After we left home, we kinda lost contact with each other, but in the last few years me and Johne reconnected with each other.We kept in contact by phone. I'm going to dearly miss her. My heart goes out to Charles because I know what he is going through, having lost a wife to cancer myself."
"I am sorry for your loss, Johne was such a wonderful person and friend. I will miss her so very much but have great memories with her to cherish. I will have your family in my prayers. Love, Linda Levensky"
"Charlie and Family, our deepest sympathy for your loss, you are in our thought's and prayers. Johne was always so kind to Katey and we are so glad that she touched her life."
"My family would love to say THANK YOU to everyone who throughout moms battle with Cancer remembered her in any way. Mom had many friends from many walks of life and there are some that touched her life that I may not know well myself. I do know how grateful mom was for every prayer or visit, for every phone call of concern or a note or card sent in the mail. Many times at the end when mom couldn't get out of bed she had me re-read those cards or notes over and over and every time she would talk of some memory with the person who had sent it. Thank you to everyone who brought over food for mom and dad that was always a blessing. Thank you for loving her as I am sure she loved you. Loving people was one of the things mom was real good at. May God bless you all as he blessed our lives with her."
"We will certainly miss the founder of our YA YA Group of girl friends from Jonesville.If it had not been for Johne, we would never have all gotten together and become so close in our "senior" years. Johne was by far the best of all of us & we all looked up to her with love and great respect. I have such fond memories to treasure forever! Love and Prayers, Rose Higginson Payne"
"Rob and Tracy, I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my prayers. Dewey L. Miller"
"Mamaw I miss you so much! I know your in a much better place. I love you the most!"
"Dear family of Johne, I was so shocked and saddened at the passing of this dear and beautiful women. I worked with her many years ago at Meis Dept. Store. I haven't seen her in years so sad for your loss. God has gained another flower in his garden of the best. J. Pappas"
"Johne was a beautiful person and will be missed by all who knew her. I know she left many fond memories which you all will cherish forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Faye & Bill Thomas"
"Carter and Nannie Fields beautiful granddaughter...that's who she is to all of us 40+ cousins. She was my dear cousin that I always admired, adored and loved so very much. Charles and your lovely family that you and Johne created, just know that she was considered the 'Angel' in our family and although our paths didn't cross much as we all grew older, the distance didn't change the unconditional love in my heart for my dear Johne. I know it will be easier for all of us to handle the end of our own circle of life by just knowing that she will be there waiting for us in heaven."
"As a close, long-time friend of Billie and Johnnie, I, along with a lot of Billie's other friends, have been praying for Johne. God has been merciful and continue to be our constant guide in times of grieving. Your family is in our prayers here in the Roanoke area. Kay Thomasson"
"My Friend, Billie, and Family Members: Words cannot begin to convey my deepest sorrow for Johne's passing. May you all find comfort and peace knowing that Johne is now pain free and with her Heavenly Father. My prayers are with you all."
"I was so saddened to hear the news of Johnne's passing. She and I worked together at Beckley Office equipment for many years and frequently enjoyed lunch together. She was a wonderful lady and spoke so lovenly of her Lord, her children and her grandchildren. I am sure she was greeted and was told "Well done my good and faithful servant." In August this year a luminary will be lit in her honor at Kokomo's Relay for Life. With sympathy and prayers, Herman and Debby McCombs"
"We at the Marion Utilities are sadened by your loss. Johne was such a wonderful person and will be missed greatly."
"Dearest Church Family, We send our deepest sympathy for your loss. I knew Johnne many years ago, and even then her children were the most important thing to her. May the Lord's peace and love comfort you in this time of great loss."
"Traci and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Julie"
"My sister, my friend. My heart is broken. I feel as if part of me went to Heaven with you. To my Indiana family, I'll always be here for you as long as I'm alive. Our family WILL remain strong. You guys received your instructions from my sister before she went home. I just may have to see that they are carried out. I love you all dearly! Aunt Billie"
"Traci~ I am so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sandi Watson"
"Marty, Traci, and Family. Jamie and I are so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you . Your mom was a remarkable lady. She will be missed. God Bless."
"To Johnes Family. Im Linda,one of the YAYA's.Originally from Jonesville. What a lady Johne was. full of fun. And she was so happy once us girls all re-united with each other. I first found her on Classmates.com. and what a Blessing that has been. I know you will miss her, but so will I as well as all the YAYA's. We loved her so much. Gods Love to all of You and my deepest Sympathy to all of you. She talked about her Family so much and those grandchildren. Love to all of you, Linda Allen"
"There so many memories I would not know where to start. To my family I love you and grandma i will always love you."
"Grandma we love you so much and you will be missed, but always in our hearts."