Stephen Matthew Johnston

Stephen Matthew Johnston, 66, of Phenix City, AL was promoted to Heaven on Friday, November 24, 2023 while at Piedmont, Midtown, Columbus, GA.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM (EST) on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Mike Koger officiating. A private interment with U. S. Navy honors will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

Mr. Johnston was born October 4, 1957 in Wilkinsburg, PA son of the late Shirley Ann LaBate Yerkins. He was a member of Crawford Methodist Church since being married to his wife Robyn, where he enjoyed learning how to grow closer to God and enjoying the congregation’s loving fellowship and the community outreach events that he eagerly participated in so often. Mr. Johnston served in the U. S. Coast Guard in his early years, and following he joined the U. S. Navy Reserve retiring as an PO1. He earned his BS in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. This degree led him south to join TSYS where he was a IT Programmer for 20+ years, and was blessed to retire so he could enjoy with his wife, working on the home and land he and his wife had acquired in the community. Stephen also enjoyed taking time out to enjoy God’s beautiful creations and events, like visiting the seashore and trekking for miles, caving adventures, bicycle riding for so many tireless miles, watching sun and moon eclipses and also riding his motorcycle. Stephen was a loved husband and a spectacular chef, preparing so many delicious meals endlessly and lovingly for his wife and family and friends to enjoy. Stephen will be missed tremendously, however, we know that God, his loving Heavenly Father, has a spectacular home prepared for him, where he is enjoying great things and experiencing no more suffering, sorrow, pain nor tears, but fully made whole and happy again.

Mr. Johnston was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Yerkins.

Survivors include his wife of 9-1/2 years, Robyn Terry Johnston, a stepson, Benjamen; siblings: Clifford E. Yerkins, III, Greg Yerkins, Linda Cassini, Charles Johnston; father-in-law, James Terry; brothers in-law, Kevin, Vincent (& Leigh), Randall Terry and niece Christina Terry (& Shane).