Gaither Clarke Johnson, 87, Tupelo, MS passed away on June 6, 2018, at Sanctuary Hospice. Visitation will be from 2 pm to 3 pm Friday, June 8 at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola, MS. Celebration of Life Services will follow at 3 pm, Friday, June 8 at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola, MS. Interment will be in Indianola City Cemetery in Indianola, MS.

Clarke was born on December 12, 1930 to Dossie Eugene Johnson and Rowena Clarke Johnson of Indianola, MS. Clarke grew up in Greenville, MS. He attended MS State University for 2 ½ years. While there he enlisted in the Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended the University of MS and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. On July 9, 1955 he married Patricia Louise Stout of Jackson, MS. He worked at the Greenville Air Base for several years and then Gibsons Pharmacy. He moved to Indianola and worked for Caldwell Drug Co, later buying the business and renaming it to Johnson's Pharmacy. He "retired" and went to work at the Parchman Pharmacy for several years before doing relief work around the Delta.

He was a member of the Galen Order of the University of MS School of Pharmacy, he received the AH Robbins award for Outstanding Community Service in Pharmacy in 1989, he was President of Pharmacy Alumni Association Chapter 1994-1996, he received the McKesson Leadership Award as President of the MS Pharmacist Association, awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Award for Excellence in Pharmacy.

He was active in his community. He was a member of the American Legion, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club for year serving as State President 1968-1969, and he served as Alderman for the City of Indianola for 12 years.

He enjoyed woodworking, spending many hours in his garage repairing chairs, building cabinets, and entertainment centers for family and friends.

He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church before joining the Methodist Church of Indianola.

He moved with his wife to Tupelo in 2012 to be closer to their daughter.

He is preceded in death by his parents Dossie and Rowena Johnson and his brother, Dorsey Eugene Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Patricia Stout Johnson; children; Keith (Jane) Johnson of Burnsville, NC, Karen Morris of Tupelo, and Craig (Martha) Johnson of Cleveland; grandchildren; Seth (Ashley) Johnson, Bess (Julian) McMillan, Stuart (Annalee) Johnson, Amanda (Sloan) Andrews, Stacy (Jason) Collins, Ricky (Nichole) Denton, & Melissa (David) Norquist; great grandchildren; Emma Johnson, Piper McMillan, Jude McMillan, Alden Andrews, Jax Andrews, Christopher Collins, Lydia Collins, Ethan Collins, Ian Denton, Zach Denton, Taylor Denton, Claire White and Catie White.

Pallbearers will be Seth Johnson, Stuart Johnson, Sloane Andrews, Jason Collins, Julian McMillan, and Bob Leach.

Honorary Pallbearers are Ricky Denton, Jack Allen, Gary Austin, Stan Berry, and Jones Ely.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that a memorial be made to Sanctuary Hospice House 5159 West Main St, Tupelo, MS 38803; French Camp Academy ONE Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745; or Palmer Home PO Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.

Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net