Donna Jill Johnson

A Mass of Christian Burial For Ms. Donna Jill Johnson will begin at 11:00 AM Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. Augustine Pallimattam officiating. A Private Family inurnment will be held at Magnolia Cemetery at a later date. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Ms. Johnson, 80, of Meridian, died February 6, 2026, at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Donna Jill was the very first Republican Circuit Clerk elected in Mississippi, serving the people of Lauderdale County for over 32 years. She was a devout Catholic and was a faithful contributor to numerous charities. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor which her numerous friends and colleagues got to enjoy daily. She certainly lived life to the fullest and cherished time with family and friends with an undying love of animals.

Donna Jill enjoyed playing tennis, watching football, and Southern Cooking with cornbread and “Real Butter.”

Donna Jill’s motto remained the same “Feet first out of this courthouse, and laid to rest in a Snickers Can.”

“SHE LOVED MERIDIAN AND THE PEOPLE OF MERIDIAN.”

Ms. Donna Jill is survived by her loving sister and best friend, Lynne J. Grimes; her brother, Duane Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins, in both Mississippi and Texas; as well as special friends, Jeff Tate, Ann Watts, Ann O’Leary, and Dianne Hackett.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hermon Gray Johnson, Jr. and Dorothy Duane Johnson; and her brother and sister-in-law, Gray and Peggy Joyce Johnson.

The Johnson Family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made as donations to St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Tunnels 2 Towers, the Humane Society, or to the charity of your choice.

The Johnson Family would also like to express sincere appreciation for the exceptional care provided by the Doctors, Nurses, and ICU Staff at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center. Their patience, kindness, dedication, professionalism, and compassion were a blessing during this difficult time.

Online condolences may be expressed at roberbarhamffh.com.