Louise Barber Johns

Louise Barber Johns February 17, 1940 – October 21, 2025 Louise Barber Johns, 85, of Hoboken, stepped into eternity Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025, at Satilla Hospice House in the arms of her daughters. Born February 17, 1940, in Ware County, she was the daughter of Frank Richard Barber and Viola (Lee) Barber of Manor. A woman of strong faith with a servant’s heart, Louise was a member of Williams Chapel in Waycross and dedicated much of her life to caring for others. Never idle, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, and being outdoors.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by five brothers, Robert Barber, Bradley Barber, Elmer Lee, Cecil Barber and Harry Barber; one sister, Reba (Barber) Grooms; and one grandson, Rance Strickland.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Johns of Hoboken; two daughters, Scarlet Cox (Dennis) and Beth Lewis, both of Hoboken; three stepdaughters, Sandra Emmons (Joey) of Albemarle, North Carolina; Deborah Castro (Javier) of Salisbury, North Carolina; and Cindy Craft (Rex) of Greenville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one sister, Elwanda (Barber) McCall of Hortense; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other cherished relatives.

An exceptional basketball player, Louise played throughout high school and set a single game record by scoring 73 points in one game. She was drafted in 1959, while still in high school, by Hazel Walker’s Arkansas Travelers, a professional, all female basketball team, and played for one year, traveling across the United States. In recognition of her success, she was inducted into the Ware County Hall of Fame in 1998. After graduating from Georgia Southern University in 1966, she spent 14 years as a social worker with the Brantley County Department of Family and Children Services before spending the remainder of her professional life with the Department of Corrections at Ware State Prison.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Frye Funeral Home Chapel in Nahunta with Reverends Mike Aldridge and E. Hilton Morgan officiating. The family will receive guests beginning one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Middleton, Dylan Middleton, David Barber, Timmy Barber, Lander McCall and Bo Petty.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Satilla Hospice House in recognition of the exceptional care provided by their nursing staff.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com