BROOKHAVEN — Services for Dixie Etta Nettles Johnston, 79, of Smithdale, who died Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Silver Cross Home, will be at 11 a.m. today at Riverwood Family Funeral Service Chapel.

Burial will follow at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven.

Mrs. Johnston was born Nov. 17, 1930, the daughter of Hubie Nettles and Lulleen Lofton Nettles. She was a homemaker and a member of Ramah Baptist Church.

Mrs. Johnston was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and “Nanny.” She was loved at Silver Cross and had the special friendship of Mrs. Jackie Beall. She and her husband were married for 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter Harold Johnston; one brother, Lamar Nettles; and two sisters, Lyvonne Hudson and Opal Barron.

Survivors include one son, Wayne Johnston and wife, Sissy; two daughters, Julia Smith and husband, Alton, and Melissa Lofton and husband, Roger, all of Smithdale; six grandchildren, Misti Hedgepeth and husband, Jason, Trudy Pickett and husband, Jeremy, Susann Altman and husband, Kyle, Marcie Knight and husband, John, Brooks Smith and Kimberly Skates and husband, Alan; eight great-grandchildren, Justin, Carlea and Kaylin Cline, Micah Powell, Korben Altman, Hayden Skates, Caroline Hedgepeth and Alana Skates; one sister, Jane Cotten and husband, Tommie, of Natchez; one brother-in-law, Cornie Hudson and wife, Vernie, of Natchez; two sisters-in-law, Martha Hammack and husband, James. W., of Bolton and Dorothy Lofton Terry and husband, C.M., of Brookhaven; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be sent to www.riverwoodfamily.com.