Longtime Merritt Island Resident Johnnie Faye Lane Passed Away Peacefully Dec. 26 at Age 90
By Space Coast Daily // January 4, 2021
funeral service set January 6 at First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach
Starting in 1972 Johnnie Faye taught kindergarten through fourth grade at many schools across Brevard County
BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Beloved wife, mother, sister, friend, and longtime residence of Merritt Island, Johnnie Faye Lane peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 26.
Johnnie Faye was born on August 30, 1930. She was the eldest of three children. Her parents Edna and B G McLin raised their Godly family in Plant City, Florida.
Growing up in a humble community she shared her memories of helping the family from harvesting crops to modeling woman’s clothing.
James H. (Buddy) and Johnnie Faye first met in the Church of God, Plant City Florida and were later married there on January 2, 1955.
She had already started her life long passion of teaching when they met. Johnnie Faye was a graduate of the College of Tampa, Florida where she received her Bachelor’s degree in teaching.
Johnnie Faye resigned from teaching upon the birth of her daughter but continued her education while raising a family and graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida where she received her Master’s in teaching.
Starting in 1972 she taught kindergarten through fourth grade at many schools across Brevard County before selecting Mila Elementary as her “home.” She never stopped learning and received numerous grants to apply new teaching methods to her class.
She retired after 30 plus years of teaching and was well-loved by her students. Her classes were always at capacity due to many parents requesting Mrs. Lane. Johnnie Faye loved when a former student would stop and tell her how much they enjoyed her class.
Johnnie Faye was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority where she was welcomed into the Order of the Golden Rose which recognizes 50 years of Delta Zeta membership. In addition, she was a member of Brevard Panhellenic.
Johnnie Faye was an active parishioner and long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Cocoa Beach. She established and ran the very popular Senior Adult Ministry program that hosted monthly luncheons and field trips.
The field trips took seniors to many locations across Florida including the museums, wildlife sanctuary, and even Johnnie Faye’s native town of Plant City for the Strawberry Festival. She also was known for bringing homemade soup and roses fresh from her garden to shut-ins.
Johnnie Faye and Buddy enjoyed family and friends and hosted many events at their Merritt Island home including a July picnic that included a Blue Grass band, a vintage fire truck and snow cone carts.
This celebration of America grew over the years to more than 175 attendees. Another popular event was the “Christmas end of school” bonfire originally held for their granddaughters and friends; it too grew due to its popularity of allowing kids (of all ages) to just run.
Christmas Carols were sung by the fire while being accompanied by a Ukulele. Johnnie Faye being a proper Southern woman requested that all tables at the bonfire required a tablecloth.
Together Johnnie Faye and Buddy spent the last 65 years enjoying family, friends and community in Florida’s Space Coast. Johnnie Faye and Buddy helped NASA by volunteering to be ambassadors for NASA visitors, escorting dignitaries, movie stars, and senators during manned moon launches receiving numerous accolades and thank you notes that decorate the wall of their den.
She will be deeply missed and is survived by, husband, Buddy Lane, their son, Randy Lane (Jean), and their two grandchildren Christine and Heather. Surviving siblings, Buck McLin (Margret) and sister-in-Law Marlene Mclin. Johnnie Faye joins her brother John McLin and daughter Pam Lane who have also passed.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 6 at First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. and service starting at 11 a.m. A private interment will be held at Brevard Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the memory of Johnnie Faye Lane, to the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach, 3300 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931.
