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Belinda Gayle Johnson, age 66, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on April 22, 1959, to William J. and Fannie Jones Smith in Gulfport, MS. Gayle’s life was a testament to the power of compassion and dedication. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and generosity that will be cherished by all who knew her.
Gayle’s journey began in the small town where she was raised, and where she graduated from Prentiss High School in 1977. Her love for helping others led her to pursue a career in nursing, a calling that she fulfilled with unwavering commitment and grace. After earning her degree from Copiah-Lincoln, Gayle touched countless lives as a pediatric nurse in the NICU department at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Her caring nature found a new home in Nashville, TN, where she continued her noble work at Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Hospital.
Gayle lived her faith through her actions, always putting others before herself. Her life was a living example of the Christian principles of love, service, and charity. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Fannin, where she loved attending and being part of, and where she served in every area of need.
On March 26, 2004, she married the love of her life, Danny Johnson (also known as the Clark Gable of our time), and moved to Nashville, TN. In 2017, the couple returned to Flowood to be closer to their family and help care for them. She enjoyed all adventures with the joys of her life, Olivia and Ella Jennings. Gayle was a constant source of energy, positivity, and joy. To know her was to feel special and loved. Gayle modeled some of her favorite verses, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, showing her love to be consistently “patient” and “kind”.
Alongside her professional accomplishments, Gayle’s personal life was rich with love and adventure. She shared an unbreakable bond with her beloved husband, Danny Johnson. Together, they found joy in “Jeeping” and getting together with friends, and in embracing every moment of their journey side by side.
She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Fannie M Smith; in-laws, Watts and Jane Johnson and brother-in-law, Tony Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Danny Johnson; sister, Brenda Neely (Wyck); niece, Jenifer Courtney (Chase); and great-nieces, Olivia and Ella Jennings Courtney. She was a cherished niece to her dear aunt and uncle, Shirley and Gary Warren, and a loving sister-in-law to Debbie Johnson.
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