Donna Jill Johnson,Meridian Animal Shelter-Friends Mourns Loss A Strong Animal Advocate
Lauderdale County is mourning the loss of longtime Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson, who passed away Thursday following an illness. She was 68.
Johnson served the public for more than 34 years, first elected to the clerk’s office in January 1992. She was widely respected as a steadfast guardian of the electoral process, known for patiently helping both candidates and media navigate complex election rules.
State Senator Jeff Tate, a former county Election Commissioner and close friend, confirmed her passing and paid heartfelt tribute. Johnson had playfully called herself his “surrogate grandmother.”
“You are so much more than that,” Tate wrote on social media. “Time after time you threw yourself under the bus for my political gain… I owe you so much.”
Beyond her official duties, Johnson was also a true champion for animal welfare in her community. Just this past year, she personally helped fund and facilitate spaying and neutering for over 70 cats, reflecting a deep, personal commitment to advocacy.
Local officials and colleagues shared widespread condolences, remembering Johnson as a dedicated public servant and a compassionate community pillar whose legacy will endure in both the courthouse and the community she loved.
