Sydna Roton Wells Johnson, a loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 22, 1938, to Cordelia Holstun Roton and Herbert Carl “Bummie” Roton. A devoted family woman, Sydna will be remembered for her kindness, elegance, and grit.
Sydna was raised in Montgomery where she attended Sidney Lanier High School. After high school, she attended Auburn University, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science with honors in Education. While at Auburn, she was an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, served as President of the Women’s Student Government Association, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for her exemplary character and service.
In 1960 Sydna met James Cook “Jimmy” Wells at the wedding of her lifelong friend Ann Williams Arant and Jimmy’s brother Fred Wells. Sydna and Jimmy were married in 1961 and the couple moved to Huntsville in 1963 where they enjoyed many years together. Here they raised their three children, Ashley, Anna, and Carter, creating joyful memories until Jimmy’s death in 1985.
In 1989, Sydna married William Reeves “Bill” Johnson. Until Bill’s death in 2023, they cherished spending time with family and friends, gardening, traveling, and most of all, being with their grandchildren.
Sydna had a deep faith that kept her centered and grateful and was a member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. At Huntsville First, she expressed her love of the church through her service as a Stephen Minister, and as a member of the Staff Parish and the Scholarship Committees. Also, Sydna truly enjoyed her Wednesday Bible Study. She treasured being a part of the Huntsville community as she gave her time and talents to the Garden Club, the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association, Les Joyeuses, the Madison County Medical Auxiliary, the Junior League of Huntsville, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is survived by her sisters, Delia Scott of Wetumpka and Gwen Belle-Isle of West Palm Beach, Florida; her children, Ashley Wells of Huntsville, Anna Watts (Brant) of Birmingham, Carter Wells (Juliet) of Huntsville; and her grandchildren, Lily Hendrix of Huntsville, Sydney Hendrix of Huntsville, Whitt Watts (Caroline) of Birmingham, Wynne Watts of Los Angeles, California, Wells Watts of Birmingham, Thomas Wells of Huntsville, Charles Wells of Huntsville, and Lane Wells of Huntsville; Bill Johnson’s children, Reeves Johnson (Lorraine), Boyd Johnson (Stacey), Cathy McLain (Tom), Tom Johnson (Beth), and their families.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Huntsville First United Methodist Church from 12 to 2 p.m. with the funeral following. Immediately after the funeral, there will be a burial service at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joint Scholarship Endowment Fund or the Amanda Taylor Watson Graduate Award at Huntsville First United Methodist Church.
