Evelyn Lyndell Howell Johnston

Evelyn Lyndell Howell Johnston, age 83, passed away on Monday, the 1st of July 2013 at her home in Gulfport.
She was born the 11th of April 1930 on Brick Road in Magnolia, Mississippi to Lewis David Howell, Sr. and Dovie Ernestine Ritchey Howell. She was the sixth child of seven siblings-Mary Elizabeth Howell Hilton, Lewis David Howell, Jr., Sarah Louise Howell Martin, Lowery Butler Howell, Dovie Ernestine Howell Riddle, and younger brother, Lawrence Carey Howell.
Lyndell grew up in the McComb, Mississippi area and attended McComb High School. She was married to the late Howard Eugene Johnston, Sr. originally of Mars Hill, Auburn Community in Amite County, Mississippi.
She was a loving wife to her husband for almost 45 years; a military wife which required many moves around the country. With her husband, she was a world traveler and lived with her young family for 3 ½ years in Spain.
A hands on devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; all children were made to feel the love, kindness, understanding, and special one on one love.
She had two boys, Howard Eugene Johnston, Jr. and Charles Carey Johnston. She made sure her boys were in scouting and obtained their Eagle Scout Ranking.
Lyndell had two girls, Ella Marie Johnston Shirley and Martha Eugenia Johnston Taylor. She spent countless hours designing, making and sewing Barbie doll clothes for her daughters and granddaughters. She hunted and tracked down Barbie doll furniture from garage sales. Lyndell was an awesome seamstress.
She was a patient, patient saint of a mother to her four children. ""Strong Willed"" which was one of her strong points was passed on to all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
A working mother, one of her earliest jobs was working in the garment factory. She was employed at Michou-Stennis Space Center and worked on one of the earliest space shuttles that made it into space. Lyndell was also employed at Keesler Air Force Base working in the important position of Registrar for the hospital recording births and deaths.
She was terrific cook, mastering Spanish paella. Among other dishes her family loved-Homemade pizza and chocolate milk night.
Her favorite hobby and past time was Genealogy. She was into it deeply and inspired others to do the same and continue updating the records accordingly. Countless hours were spent pouring over pictures, naming all faces in the crowd, court house records, church rolls, old cemeteries, and census library records-no stone was left unturned. She clipped newspapers and kept scissors attached to her chair always ready for the next article or name to give her another link or lead to her and her family roots back to Pocahontas.
She loved her family, to her nothing mattered more. She was selfless with her time in her long, loving hours she spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
It would not be right to not mention her fateful four legged companion, Bonnie Blue, who defended her ferociously to the end. She was a beautiful lady and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Definitely irreplaceable, and much loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her five siblings.
She is survived by her children, Ella Marie Johnston Shirley and her husband John, Martha Eugenia Johnston Taylor and her husband Danny, Howard Eugene Johnston Jr. and his wife Mary Kathryn, and Charles Carey Johnston; her nine grandchildren, Michael Jay Ryker, Jennifer Marie Littleton, Jessica Elise Arrington, Jesse Lane Davis, Megan Elizabeth Shaw, Charles Carey Johnston, Jr., Amy Leigh Yates, Samuel Aaron Johnston, and Hannah Ora Johnston; her seven great grandchildren, Lacey Marie Littleton, Laura Elaine Littleton, Devin Lane Davis, Tyler David Davis, Kayden Lee Johnston, Olivia Grace Ryker, and Dylan Jenna Johnston; her sister, Dovie Ernestine Howell Riddle; and thirty three nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Police and Fire Department and Riemann Family Funeral Homes for their efficiency and professionalism.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from four o'clock until six o'clock in the evening, Sunday, the 7th of July 2013 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. Immediately following the visitation, a funeral service is to be conducted at six o'clock in the evening in the chapel of the funeral home, with the eulogy by her nephew, Clifton Hewitt Johnston, Jr. At ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 8th of July 2013 family and friends will gather for an interment service at the National Cemetery in Biloxi.
Pallbearers for Lyndell will be Samuel Aaron Johnston, Creighton Mershon, Clifton Johnston, Jr., Michael Jay Ryker, Lawrence Hilton, and Bradley Littleton; and honorary pallbearers will be Danny Taylor, John Shirley, Jay Yates, and Lewis David Howell, III.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributes may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org. or the National Cemetery Christmas Wreaths Program at 400 Veterans Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531.
Share your memories or express condolences by signing the online guestbook at www.riemannfamily.com.