Hoyette Hibbard Johnson

Pastor, Brother Hum, Brother Johnson, Hoyette, Papa, Pappy, Dad, a man known by many… and many names… passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on October 3, 2023.

Hoyette was born on April 29, 1929, in Little Rock Arkansas, to Allen and Elnora Johnson. He grew up a simple farm boy, raising his first crop before he was even a teenager, drove a school bus while attending school himself, attended the Arkansas Polytechnic College and eventually graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Agriculture.

In Mabelvale, Arkansas fate would have Hoyette living on the same block as a young Patricia Raymond, who he began courting. Patricia broke off the courtship, breaking Hoyette’s heart, and the next day he moved to Merced, California, where he picked up work in a tile factory. A year later, he returns to Mabelvale, and immediately seeks out Pat. She takes him back, reluctantly as the story goes, and in 1948 they are married, and they started a family.

Hoyette pastored a church in Butterfield, Arkansas, which had a mission in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. The Pastor of that church passed away, and Hoyette was sent to NH to preach his funeral. Subsequently the church called him to NH to take the helm of that church. So, in 1964 the Johnsons moved to Moultonborough, New Hampshire, where Hoyette would Pastor the First Missionary Baptist Church for the next 38 years. Never one to be idle, Hoyette worked numerous construction jobs throughout his preaching career, maintained a farm, and could often be seen haying local fields.

Hoyette and Pat, retiring from the church, moved in with their son Caleb in 2003, where they would spend the next 17 years together until Patricia passed away in 2020. Hoyette maintained as much independence as possible, while waiting to be called home and reunited with Pat and two of their daughters in heaven.
Hoyette and Pat’s legacy will be remembered by their surviving family; daughter Cynthia Tolman and son Caleb Johnson. In addition, Hoyette leaves 7 grandchildren and their spouses, Jonathan Tolman (Deborah), Rebecca Bryant (Nick Mercuri), Mark Tolman (Laura), Sean Cahoon (Alyson), Marinda Bassett, Joshua Cahoon, and Adam Cahoon (Elissa). There are also 15 great-grandchildren to carry on, Matthew, Michael and Daniel Tolman; Jonathan, Benjamin and Abigail Bryant; Molly and Emma Cahoon; Brandyn, Sarah and Hannah Bassett; Owen and Gavin Cahoon; and Gracelyn and Aiden Cahoon. One great-great granddaughter, Madison Bassett rounds out the family Papa and Gram were so proud of.
In addition, Hoyette leaves behind Priscilla Manville, a caregiver and friend who devoted much of the past three years to his wellbeing.

Hoyette was predeceased by his wife Patricia in 2020, his daughter Deborah Cahoon in 2022, and his infant daughter Marinda Ann who passed away in a tragic car accident on December 26, 1954.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 4-6 pm at Mayhew Funeral Home in Meredith NH.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 6th at 4 pm at the Holland Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Home Assist Program at Lakes Region Community Services, whose wonderful caregivers that allowed him to be home in his last years.