Marsha Kay Johnston

Marsha Kay Gregg Johnston, 78, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at her home surrounded by the love she had spent a lifetime giving to others.

Marsha was born July 5, 1948, in Borger, Texas, to Harmon Masten Gregg and Ruby Pearl Gregg. She was the treasured only child of parents who loved her deeply and instilled in her the values of kindness, hard work, faith, compassion, and the importance of lifelong learning. She often spoke of her mother as her “greatest encourager” and remained devoted to honoring their memory throughout her life.

A 1966 graduate of Borger High School, Marsha continued her education at Frank Phillips College before earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education from West Texas State University and received a kindergarten endorsement from East Texas State University. Although teaching became her career, it was far more than a profession—it was the very heart of who she was.

In the spring of 1965, God quietly began writing the greatest love story of her life. At The Post Drive-In on a Saturday night in Borger, thanks to a friend who gave a young man her phone number, Marsha met Billy Joe Johnston. Years later, Marsha would write, "I thank God every day for sending him my way." What began as a chance meeting became a lifetime of unwavering devotion. After dating, becoming engaged, and eagerly waiting for the day they would begin their lives together, Marsha and Bill were married on August 26, 1967.

For nearly fifty-nine years, they built a marriage rooted in faith, commitment, laughter, and unconditional love. Bill never introduced her simply as his wife. To him, she was always his bride. Marsha often called Bill “the best thing that had ever happened to her.” He faithfully loved her every day of their marriage, treating her like a “princess” until her final days. Their love was found not only in anniversaries and celebrations, but in the countless ordinary moments that built an extraordinary life together—sharing silent prayers before bed, watching the evening news side by side, attending their grandchildren's events, searching garage sales and estate sales for hidden treasures, and the simple acts like Bill bringing Marsha a glass of ice water because he knew exactly how she liked it. They were true partners in every sense of the word, living out the vows they made nearly six decades ago with unwavering faithfulness.

Together they raised their sons, Jeffrey and Jarrett, in the First Baptist Church of Borger. Marsha devoted herself wholeheartedly to being a wife and mother, believing that one of life's greatest callings was raising children who loved God, loved others, and never stopped learning. She was endlessly proud of the men her sons became and often expressed gratitude for the loving fathers, husbands, and examples they were to their own families.

Teaching was Marsha's calling long before it became her career. She taught for thirty years—five years in Olton, two years in Fritch, and twenty-three years in Borger, where she became one of the community's most beloved second-grade teachers. Throughout her years in education, Marsha formed lifelong friendships with fellow teachers who shared her passion for children and learning. One of those special friendships was with Lanetta, who taught alongside Marsha for many years.

Thousands of children walked through her classroom doors, but not one ever felt like just another student. To Mrs. Johnston, every child mattered. She believed “every child could learn, deserved encouragement, and every child needed someone who believed in them.” Her classroom was a place where confidence grew, curiosity flourished, and children discovered that reading could open the door to a lifetime of learning. Even decades after leaving her classroom, former students continued to seek her out, remember her lessons, and thank her for believing in them. Fellow teachers remembered her as a mentor, a friend, and an example of what an educator should be. Long after retirement, people still fondly called her "Mrs. Johnston."

But Marsha never truly stopped teaching. She taught around the kitchen table while helping with homework. She taught life lessons through handwritten notes, encouraging phone calls, thoughtful Facebook messages, and heartfelt conversations. She taught her grandchildren to read, celebrated every accomplishment, and reminded them over and over that they were "smart, smart...double smart." She believed there was always another opportunity to become the best version of yourself.

Her greatest title, however, was never teacher. It was "MeMe." Nothing brought Marsha greater joy than being a grandmother to London, Emerson, Elijah, Evelyn, and Jackson. She rarely missed a game, recital, performance, graduation, birthday, or special event if she was able to attend. She delighted in watching soccer games, dance recitals, theater performances, and school activities with the enthusiasm of someone convinced her grandchildren were the most remarkable children in the world.

Her home became a place of comfort, laughter, learning, and unconditional love. Shelves filled with books, photographs, toys, maps, keepsakes, and memories reflected a life spent preserving the moments that mattered. There was always a lesson to teach, a story to tell, or something delicious cooking in the kitchen.

Many family favorites became traditions because of Marsha. Her chicken and dumplings, chicken and dressing, spaghetti, stewed squash, French toast, fairy bread, strawberries with whipped cream, banana mash, and countless other recipes nourished far more than hungry stomachs—they nourished hearts.

Marsha loved deeply—her family, her friends, her students, children, our country and she loved dogs, especially Blue and Pudge. Over the years she and Bill opened their home to many rescue dogs who became cherished members of the family. She loved reading, learning, staying informed about current events, and spending hours talking on the phone with her lifelong friends Janine (Wilson) Park and Janice (Bruce) McFerin and Marsha Kolze, whom she lovingly considered sisters.

Marsha possessed a rare gift that cannot be taught. She made people feel important. Whether you had known her your entire life or had just met her, she had a remarkable ability to make you feel loved, seen, and valued. She remembered birthdays, celebrated milestones, sent unexpected messages of encouragement, and faithfully prayed for others. She prayed not only for family and friends, but for former students, teachers, neighbors, strangers, leaders, and anyone carrying a burden. Her concern for others knew no boundaries.

Her faith in Jesus Christ guided every aspect of her life. She lived the Gospel through everyday acts of kindness, humility, forgiveness, and steadfast love. She believed in prayer, believed in people, and believed there was always hope because God remained faithful.

Those who knew Marsha will forever remember her radiant smile, her gentle spirit, her tiny voice, her beautiful blonde hair, and her striking eyes that later in life became one blue and one green, A beautiful reflection of her uniqueness. They will remember her warm hugs, especially her beloved group hugs, her constant reminders to smile. More than anything, they will remember how she made them feel.

Her legacy lives on in every child she inspired to love reading, every lesson she shared, every meal she lovingly prepared, every prayer she faithfully offered, every act of kindness she performed, her grandchildren she adored, and every life made brighter simply because she was part of it. Time spent with Marsha was time well spent, and those moments became gifts her family and friends will forever cherish.

Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Harmon Masten Gregg and Ruby Pearl Gregg. She is lovingly survived by her devoted husband, Billy Joe Johnston; her sons, Jeffrey Johnston and Jarrett Johnston; her daughter-in-love, Amanda Johnston; and her treasured grandchildren, London, Emerson, Elijah, Evelyn, and Jackson.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Boulevard in Amarillo. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Hillside Northwest Campus on Tascosa Rd. Graveside Services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Westlawn Memorial Park in Borger. Arrangements are entrusted to Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

The family asks that, in remembering Marsha, you honor the life she lived: encourage someone, teach a child, offer a kind word, say a prayer, write a thoughtful note, gather your family close, and never miss an opportunity to tell those you love that you love them. Nothing would have brought her greater joy.