Patty Jayne Johnston

Patty's pioneer roots translated into her pioneer spirit, which was woven into the beautiful and colorful tapestry that was her life. This journey began on September 1, 1927, in Enid, Oklahoma, when Patty Jayne was born to Clint and Helen Jayne. She was raised in Enid, but during the depression the family moved to Covington, where her father was a banker and a part-time farmer on the land where her grandfather staked a claim in the Land Run. Patty has always been proud of her Oklahoma heritage and Enid roots, where she was May Queen in 1945. She attended OU, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. It was there she met her husband-to-be, Jack Johnston, to whom she was married 44 years. The Billy Graham Crusade in the 50s opened the door to a spiritual journey that was her passion and central focus for the remainder of her life.The next chapter of their lives focused on the beautification, development, and conservation of land, culminating in the creation of Blue Stem Lake and Quail Creek. In the 50s and 60s, Patty and Jack spent extended time in the coal-mining town of Crested Butte, CO, where they were instrumental in the early development of that community.Her love of the arts was evidenced by her service and support of the Mummers Theater, the Contemporary Arts Foundation (the first funky art gallery in town) and her appointment to the Arts and Humanities Council. Patty and Jack were drawn to the community of Santa Fe, NM at a time when local artists of all mediums enjoyed a culture of spiritual diversity, Native American history, the arts, and green chilies. For many years, they made Santa Fe their second home.Patty loved words, books, ideas, the Spirit, joy, laughter, storytelling, art, all Saints Day, God, prayer, and all things beautiful. Her interest in the holistic way of life evolved into the creation of the Bean Sprout, the first natural food health store and restaurant in north Oklahoma City. The Bean Sprout was a platform for alternative practitioners and inspired many people learning how to live healthy lives. Patty and Jack were among the people captivated by the sermon preached by John Peters, a movement that became World Neighbors. The Johnstons cultivated a transformational relationship with John and Kay Peters, which lasted throughout their lives. Patty's lifelong commitment to and support of the World Neighbors' mission was acknowledged when she was honored with the Namaste Award in 2010. Young Life is another example of their faith-based pioneering. They supported the Young Life organization in many ways, serving on committees, hosting gatherings, housing Young Life staffers, and even parking the YL bus on their property.Those who loved Patty describe her as a community builder who was passionate, joyful, wise, colorful, full of the spirit and flamboyant; a mystic with an insatiable love for learning. After a wonderful evening with close friends, Patty went to sleep on January 8, 2012, and woke up in heaven on January 9, where she joins: her parents, Clint and Helen Jayne; her sister, Helen Beth Jayne Pickens; her husband, John W. "Jack" Johnston; her daughter, Helene Johnston; her sister-in-law, Jeannette Johnston Caston and her husband, Russell; and a host of family and friends. She has left many loved ones here, who feel tremendous loss, but also feel buoyed by her intentional investment in their lives, including her daughter, Jerry Johnston Gautreaux and husband, Mark, and their sons: Nathan and his wife, Amber, and great-granddaughters, Edie and Scout; Nic and his wife, Laura; Zeb; and Josh. She is also survived by her sister, Ollie Ogle, and her children, Jan, Jay, Jerry, and Jeannie; nephew, Clint Jayne; brother-in-law, Paul Johnston and his wife, Sally, and their children, Michelle, Paul Jr., John W., and Michael; sister-in-law, Mary Head Evans and husband, Jim, and her children, Marcy, Paul, and Eric; and other nieces, Janet Caston Blakely, Cindy Caston Davis; and nephew, Rusty Caston; and numerous other grand nieces and nephews.