Mr. Johnny Bruce Roach

March 12, 1929 - March 12, 2018

Mr. Johnny “Bruce” Roach went to be with the Lord on his 89th birthday, March 12, 2018. Bruce was born in Royston, Georgia, on March 12, 1929, to the late Knox Cleveland Roach and English Jordan Roach. He graduated from Royston High School in 1947 and joined the United States Air Force where he served as a Sargent in the 29th Aircraft Repair Squadron in Okinawa, Japan. Upon discharge from the military in 1949, he attended North Georgia Trade and Vocational School where he graduated with a diploma in dry cleaning in 1951 and gained employment at Ware’s Dry Cleaning. Bruce was self-employed for most of his adult life and retired from the trucking industry where he was owner/operator of Johnny Bruce Roach trucking and used the handle “Country Deacon”. During Bruce’s retirement, he continued to trade in motorcycles, restore his 1941 Ford truck, attend church and spent time with his loving family. Bruce was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and used his retirement years and trading deals to witness to others. He was a member of Zidon Baptist Church in Sandy Cross and rarely missed any service. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1974, at Franklin Springs Baptist Church and also served as a Deacon at Zidon Baptist. He married the late Mary Joyce Dawkins Roach and started a family, having three loving daughters. Bruce was the pillar of a 5 generation family and ensured that each member knew of Jesus Christ’s never failing love. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his eight siblings: Rachel Roach, Reba Roach, Bill Roach, Belton Roach, Faye Roach, Boyce Roach, Ruby Barnette and Maxie Spears. He is survived by his beloved family including daughters; Rita and Larry Hall of Royston, Carol and Tim Ashworth of Hartwell, and Beverly and Ronald “Rock” Hart of Royston. He is also survived by three generations of grandchildren: Kandy and Jeff Bond, Adrianna and Savanna, LeAnna and Colt Hart, Jolee, Briar and Sage; Joey Royston and Brecken, Jamie Vaughn, and Dylan, Hunter and Walker; Jessica and Brandon Crunkleton, and Allie, Hannah and Blane; and Kayla and Billy Segars, and Connor and Kain. Funeral services for Mr. Roach will be held at Zidon Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2018, with Rev. Andy Bond, Rev. Barry Porter and Rev. Caleb Bond officiating. Entombment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens- South in Royston, Georgia. The family will receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening. The family is at the home. Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the Zidon Baptist Church Building Fund at 331 Zidon Church Road Royston, GA. Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, GA is in charge of arrangements.