When comparing the childhoods of Belhaven residents Jeffrey and Holli Johnston, think of the sound settings on a remote control.  While one grew up in the lower register, the other often approached maximum volume.  Today, as parents of three young children, their family buzzes with activity… which is just the way they like it.

 

While he was born in the Kansas City area, Jeffrey grew up in Greenville in a family that is all about the Upstate: his parents started the Greenville Journal as well as Town and AtHome magazines.  He is one of four boys, and he’ll tell you that his family can sometimes resemble one from a popular Christmas movie.

 

“My oldest brother, Ryan, is four years older than me. William is two years older than me, and then I have a twin brother, Jack. With four boys in the house, there was always something going on. Needless to say, my mom is a saint.  Holli and I have ten nieces and nephews, totaling thirteen grandkids for my parents.  Have you ever seen the opening scene from ‘Home Alone’ where every family member is running around the house, talking at once?  That describes holidays with the Johnstons.”

 

Holli is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. While her husband was growing up in a boisterous family of six, Holli grew up as an only child.  She always knew, though, that she wanted to be part of something bigger.

 

“Growing up, I always wanted siblings and knew I wanted to have a big family one day. In my family, holidays were always quiet for the most part. Now that I’m part of the Johnston family, that’s definitely not the case anymore.”

 

Jeffrey is a vascular surgeon at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, where he specializes in minimally invasive and open carotid, aortic, and peripheral vascular disease.  He received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.  He did his residency training in general surgery at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and his vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

 

Holli is a nurse practitioner, receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her master’s degree from East Tennessee State University.  The Johnstons met when she was working in one of the emergency rooms where Jeffrey was doing his general surgery residency.  They were married in 2020 in Memphis.

 

The Johnstons are parents of three children.  Their son Cole is six.  Their older daughter, Emersyn, is two and a half, and their younger daughter, Charlotte. is six months.  They find that a familiar sports strategy is key to parenting three young children.

 

“Now that we are outnumbered, there’s a lot of zone defense going on,” they say, laughing.  “The best way to describe our household is organized chaos.  Cole is a very energetic, loving, inquisitive, and funny boy. He loves to know how things work. His hobbies include Legos, sports, and bothering his sisters.  Emersyn is the most outgoing threenager you’ll ever meet. She has a big heart and constantly keeps us laughing. She loves Mickey Mouse, dancing, and singing, and it is next to impossible to get her out of the pool. Charlotte already has quite a big personality, even at six months. She has the most infectious smile, and she loves attention. She is the perfect addition to our family. She loves her siblings, bath time, and eating.  Rounding out our family are our two dogs: Tipton, a corgi mix, and Ellie, a black lab mix.”

 

A typical Saturday with the Johnstons is exactly what you would expect: unpredictable.   

If one of the kids doesn’t have a sporting event going on, they like to walk on the Swamp Rabbit trail in the mornings or walk up to the playground at the park. During the summer, they spend the majority of their Saturdays by the pools. In the fall, Saturdays are spent watching Clemson or Tennessee football games.  Charlotte is too small to have a favorite, but which team has captured the hearts of Cole and Emersyn in this mixed orange household?

 

“They cheer for both,” Holli says, “but Emersyn leans more towards ‘Rocky Top’ and Cole more towards Clemson.”

 

Despite their busy family life, the Johnstons also make time for their community.  In addition to serving on Belhaven’s social committee, Holli is a member of the Greenville County Medical Society Alliance.

 

“GCMSA is an organization where wives of physicians in Greenville County come together to form relationships and participate in both social and philanthropic events. Some of the charities that the organization supports are Front Porch Housing, Jasmine Road, and Serenity Place.”

 

Jeffrey serves on the Mosaic Ministry at Grace Church.

 

“The Mosaic Ministry allows families of children with disabilities time to worship on Sunday mornings while knowing that their children are loved and well cared for. During the service, we spend time with these kids over lessons, crafts, and worship.”

 

The Johnstons’ involvement with their community will soon expand.  Holli will be resuming her professional role as a nurse practitioner in a very convenient location.

 

“I will soon be working at Brio Primary Care. I am actually excited to go back to work! One of the things I love about primary care is getting to form relationships with my patients where I feel like I am really making a difference in their lives, and I have missed getting to do that. It is an added bonus that I will be working right here in Hollingsworth Park!”

 

As they begin their third year in Hollingsworth Park, the Johnstons enjoy a life teeming with friends and family, one matching Jeffrey’s childhood experience and Holli’s childhood dream.

 

“Jeffrey’s brother William and his wife and four kids live in Hollingsworth Park as well,” they say.  “We love being close to them and the opportunity it gives our kids to grow up together.  We have also made so many great friends in the neighborhood and spend time with them almost daily. We love the location and convenience as well as the family friendly environment the neighborhood offers. There is nowhere in Greenville we would rather live!”