After 85 years of blessing this earth, Lowell Thomas “Pee Wee” Johns, Sr. went home to be with the Lord on July 20, 2022, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Pee Wee was born in the sandhills near Porter Pond on January 12, 1937 in Washington County, Florida to Charlie Johns and Annie Corene Finch Johns.
In addition to his parents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, Mr. Johns was also preceded in death in July 2020 by his wife of nearly 50 years, Sandra Kay Lindsey Johns. During the last few years of Sandy’s life, Peewee became a committed caregiver and made countless sacrifices to care for his sweetheart who was suffering from dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Peewee also lost a son, Bobby Smedley, a grandson, Michael Johns, five (5) brothers and two (2) sisters.
There are no words to express Peewee’s family’s love for him or his love for them. He was truly a beloved patriarch. He is survived by his five (5) children (“his, hers, and theirs”): Gary Johns (Selina) of Lynn Haven, FL, Sheila Syfrett (Jake) of Marianna, FL, Eddie Johns (Cindy) of Southport, FL, Kay Smedley Nichols (Joey) of Chipley, FL, and Tommy Johns (Casey) of Chipley, FL. Peewee had numerous, precious grandchildren and great grandchildren (natural, adopted, and otherwise!). In addition, Peewee leaves a loving nephew (aka “step-person”), Reggie Johns of Panama City, FL, one brother, Charlie Johns (Carol) of Wausau, FL, and two (2) sisters, Lokey Grissett (Adolph) of Panama City, FL and Shelby Hughen (Woody) of Fountain, FL. The family wishes to recognize a very special friend to Peewee, Ms. Marlene Ray, and thank her for her love, friendship, and kindness over the last couple of years.
Peewee lived a good life and was good at living life! He loved his large family and all his friends. He had so many friends from all walks of life. He loved people and loved helping people and was never satisfied until he knew everyone in a room. Peewee was a natural leader and artist and had many talents. He was good at carpentry, upholstery, accumulating pianos, telling jokes, and carving soap. He never ran out of things to do or projects for himself or others. Building Pinterest projects for granddaughters became a love and specialty! At a young age, Peewee taught himself to play guitar and piano. As years went by, Peewee became proficient with many instruments. He was passionate about music, specifically country western, bluegrass and gospel. He was known far and wide for his piano playing. He played with quite a few bands over the years. He was most recently a part of the Good for Nothin’ Band. Peewee said that was the band’s name because they were pretty “good” and they played for practically “nothin’”.
On February 5, 1954 Peewee started his career with the Florida State Road Department (SRD), later to become the Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT). He started in the Survey Department working in Pensacola and later transferred to the District Asphalt Section. He worked on numerous high-profile bridge and roadway projects across District 3. His longest tenure at FDOT was spent in the Materials Department. He was the District Density Engineer and District Radiation Safety Officer when he retired May 24, 2001. Peewee wrote that over his 47 years with SRD/FDOT, he worked for 9 presidents, 10 governors, and 6 district secretaries.
Throughout his life, Peewee was active in his community in many ways. In 1976 Peewee was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Washington County Hospital where he served for nine (9) years. For nearly 20 years Peewee (along with Sandy) helped the Washington County Supervisor of Elections office by serving as a Poll Worker Deputy. This was a job that he loved as it allowed him to meet, greet, and see lots of people as they cast their ballots. Peewee served on the board for the Gap Pond Cemetery and where he helped make decisions for the cemetery’s maintenance and betterment. He also helped his neighbors by serving on the Neighborhood Watch Committee. During Sandy’s illness, Peewee started attending the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers support group meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Chipley. These meetings proved to be a tremendous help to Peewee to help him learn to be a better caregiver for Sandy and to help him keep his strength and faith through a very difficult time. Peewee appreciated the group greatly and continued to join the group for discussions and fellowship following Sandy’s death. Peewee would want anyone with a family member suffering with dementia to seek this group or one like it to get the help and support needed.
A very special and important part of Peewee’s life was his love, devotion and support of Free Masonry and the Shriners. He became a mason in 1974 and ultimately a plural member of both Orion Lodge #40 of Chipley and Wausau Lodge #39 of Wausau. Peewee had the privilege of being Worshipful Master of both lodges. He was an honorary member of several other lodges in the panhandle area. Peewee was only a couple years shy of getting his 50 year pin as a mason. In the late 1970’s Peewee was instrumental in starting the Panhandle Chapter of Demolay. Due largely in part to his dedication to the Masonic Lodge and future masons, the Panhandle Chapter in Chipley won the Bicentennial Membership Award in 1976 for exceeding their membership goals. He was a member of the Scottish Rite body of Masonry and the Shaddai Shriners of Panama City. The Panhandle Shrine Club building in Chipley was established in large part due to Peewee’s efforts. He served in a few different Shrine units including the Clowns and the Skat Kats before finding his best fit and joy in the Director’s Staff Band. In his later years in the Shrine, Peewee found great pleasure in serving with his sons Gary and Eddie as an honorary member of the Buccaneer’s unit. In 2008, Peewee served as the District Deputy Grand Master for District 5 for the Grand Master of the Florida Grand Lodge. This was a great honor, privilege, and proud accomplishment for Peewee.
Memorial Services for Peewee will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the Wausau Assembly of God with Rev. Ronnie Gene Hagan and Bro. Joey Nichols officiating. Pallbearers to include Alan T Bush, Brad Clark, Keith Clark, Scott Mashburn, Terry Nowaczyk, and Clint White.
Interment will follow at Gap Pond Cemetery. Obert Funeral Home of Chipley, Florida directing. Flowers and plants can be sent to the funeral home. Alternatively, donations in Peewee’s honor can be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital at lovetotherescue.org.
Family will receive friends for visitation one hour prior to the service (9:00 AM) at the church.
