Deb Newbern Johnston

Deb Newbern Johnston of White House, TN and West Newbury, MA passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Nashville, TN on February 10, 1958, she was the firstborn child to her parents, father Green Lemuel Newbern and mother Launa. She grew up in the Nashville area and was a 1976 graduate of Hendersonville High School. During these times she made the firsts of many lifelong friendships. After graduation, she began her career in Finance working in smaller offices. She took the opportunity to move near the water she loved - into a cottage on Old Hickory Lake with her Aunt Sara and Uncle Harry. While at the cottage, a mutual friend introduced her to Thomas Jones who she married in 1978.

Tom and Deb moved to Madison, TN where they welcomed their firstborn “Number One” son Thomas Jr. in 1981. Next came a move to White House, TN where they welcomed “Number Two” son Devin in 1991. In the early 1980’s she joined J.C. Bradford & Company - Nashville’s premier investment banking and brokerage firm. During her tenure there she rose to Brokerage Settlement Division Manager, managing a team and meeting another core group of folks who she would carry on with her as longtime friends. Tom and Deb amicably divorced in 1997, remaining close to best support their boys.

In early 2000, J.C. Bradford was ironically acquired by Boston based PaineWebber, which by late 2000 was forced to merge with Swiss based UBS. In short fashion, Debbie decided to return to working with smaller family businesses in the Nashville area such as Sumner Crest Winery – where again she met folks she carried forward with her as dear friends. Ultimately, she decided to start her own Property Management/Cleaning Company. During this time, she met Mary Ann Fowler from Massachusetts at her home in Tennessee. Deb became not just the caretaker of the property, but a friend/family member. On Labor Day weekend 2013, she was re-acquainted with a Hendersonville High School ‘76 Classmate, Bobby Johnston. Bobby and Debbie quickly reconnected, they married July 28, 2015, and had 10 plus years of blissful marriage.

Debbie successfully ran her business until 2022, at which time she took up an offer to travel to Massachusetts to work with another family-owned business, the West Newbury Food Mart. It gave her a place to use all her skills that came naturally - finance background, southern hospitality, boundless energy. She also got to know and support the family’s other business, Vermette’s Market. True to her form, she made many friends within the team members at each Market, as well as many customers, vendors and folks she met. Most exceptionally, she quickly became a key trusted business associate and dearest friend to Elaine Fowler, the owner of the Markets.

To all her Tennessee friends and family it was always known she would someday have a second home near the beach – but none would have imagined (including Debbie herself!) that it would be in the North where snow flies. She found that second home in West Newbury, falling in love with the community and area - and the community embraced her right back. In a town known to be hesitant to call you a local without a generation plus of history – Debbie swiftly made such status.

Debbie’s mottos throughout her whole life were “Peace, Love and Sunshine”. A true “Hippie Chick”, she was happiest when she was able to put a smile on someone's face, lend a helping hand, time spent in the sand. She so greatly enjoyed her plants and gardens; treasured times spent with her sons; shared the love of beaches, music, and football with Bobby and their travels together to enjoy all such. Through the years, through all her experiences - she met so many people she cared for and considered friends. Some became as close as family to her. Her heart was big enough for them all, and she had a way of making all feel special - because to her they all were, are and will always be.

Beloved by family, she was predeceased by her parents Green and Launa Newbern and mother-in-law Eva Jane Johnston and leaves behind her loving family, a son Thomas Jones, Jr. and wife Stacy of East Hartford, CT and their son Anthony Quen of White House, TN, a son Devin Jones of White House, TN; her husband Bobby Johnston of White House, TN and West Newbury, MA; a stepson Robby Johnston, his partner Kesley and their son Beckham of White House, TN; a brother Bill Newbern of Cottontown, TN; a niece Katie Newbern of Terrell, NC and nephew Kyle Newbern of Portland, TN; her ex-Husband Thomas Jones, Sr. and wife Kim of Cottontown, TN and countless friends made across her lifetime… all so dear to her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Debbie’s memory may be made to the Lt. Ken Fowler Foundation, PO Box 762, West Newbury, MA 01985

Calling hours for Debbie will be held in Massachusetts on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, MA 01913 from 3-5 p.m. immediately followed by a service at 5 p.m.

Visitation for Debbie will be held in Tennessee on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Church at Grace Park Chapel, 506 Hester Drive, White House, TN 37188 from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a service at 4 pm.

Arrangements by the Paul C. Rogers Family, Amesbury MA 01913.