Hilton "Mac" Johnson

Hilton "Mac" Johnson passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, January 4. He was born on August 18, 1937, in Brooks County, Georgia. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Brooksville, Florida, in search of work. Mac spent his childhood along the Florida coast, where he developed a love for the outdoors, spear fishing, and alligator hunting in the Weeki Wachee River. Weeki Wachee holds his fondest childhood memories, where he often spoke of being a Merman in the mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs.

He graduated with honors from Hernando High School in 1956, lettering in basketball, football, and baseball. He served as senior class president and was voted "Best All Around." Mac continued his education at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, where he played both football and baseball. He later played professionally for the Nashville Volunteers, a farm team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds.

In 1960, Mac was drafted into the United States Army, serving at Fort Benning, Fort Sam Houston, and in Germany. Anyone who spent time talking with him likely heard stories from his Army days. Though initially assigned as a medic-a role he clearly did not want-his baseball skills were soon discovered. He then traveled extensively, playing baseball and entertaining the troops.

Following his military service, Mac and his wife, Abbie, moved to Pavo, Georgia, where he established a heating and air conditioning business, Dorminy & Johnson. He was a longtime member of Pavo Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon and youth leader. For the past few years, Mac has been an active member of First Baptist Church in Thomasville. Mac also devoted countless hours to his community as a baseball coach in both Pavo and Thomasville.

In 1985, he moved his family to Thomasville and played a key role in reviving the Thomasville Tigers baseball program alongside Mike Woodham and Bob Bohman. Together, they helped make it possible for countless young athletes to pursue their dreams of playing baseball at the collegiate level. In 2017, Mac was inducted into the Hernando County High School Sports Hall of Fame, an honor reflecting his lifelong dedication to athletics and mentorship.

Mac is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Abbie Faye Dorminy Johnson; his children, Kathy Johnson Wilson, Jeanna Mayhall Hock (George), and David Johnson; nine grandchildren, Jessica Cashwell (Nick), Abbie Pryce Gay (Jared), Jamey Carnline (Cody), Carly Fox, Hil Johnson (Hannah), Cooper Mayhall (Stephanie), Alley Ivey (Gaughf), Endsley Wilson, and Dorminy Johnson; and sixteen great-grandchildren, Ty Cashwell, Scarlett Barrie, Mac Trammel, Alice Kate Barrie, Thomas Cashwell, Elam Fox, Collins Mayhall, Cady Carnline, Blakeleigh Prevatt, Michialyn Fox, Sadie Ivey, Colt Carnline, LucyRae Gay, Cooper Mayhall, and Emmie Kate Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hilton Butler "Shorty" Johnson and Annie Kate Johnson, his beloved son-in-law, C. Michial Mayhall, and his great-grandson, Abner Basil Prevatt.

A service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church chapel in Thomasville. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 5-7 pm at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the Thomas University Baseball Program, Attention: Advancement Office, 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, GA 31792 or https://secure.qgiv.com/event/tubaseball/team/1013236/