Her legacy includes the restoration of Glover School and focusing attention on Bealsville, a town settled by ex-slaves.
By JANET ZINK
Published May 15, 2003
Carrie Johnston, a key figure in preserving the heritage of the town of Bealsville, died May 8 in her home after a long struggle with cancer. She was 66.
Born in Winter Haven, she lived in Bealsville in eastern Hillsborough County while she was in elementary school and returned there with her family in 1994.
Mrs. Johnston was a board member of Bealsville Inc., a group established in the early 1980s to preserve the Glover School, built in the 1930s.
Bealsville was settled shortly after the Civil War by 12 former slaves. It was first known as Little Alafia, but eventually was named after Alfred Beal, the son of one of the original slaves.
Mrs. Johnston helped obtain large grants to pay for the restoration of the Glover School. It is now a historic landmark used as a community events center.
One of her hopes was to see the creation of a library at the Glover School that would focus on black history in Florida and Bealsville, her husband said.
"She was a unique person," said Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Frank. "She worked very hard to make sure that everything in Bealsville was historically preserved. Carrie was a driving force."
Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Joe Johnston; a son, Baron; a daughter, Juanita; and three grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Charlow Funeral Home in Plant City. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday in Bealsville at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
