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A quarter century has passed since Jackie Johns was murdered and a little over a year has passed since Gerald Carnahan, the man who was always the chief suspect in her murder, was found guilty.  Today, there is hope for students in Nixa who want to further their education thanks to a scholarship set up in Jackie’s memory.
According to a news release from Nixa Public Schools, “In June of 1985, a few days before the funeral of Jackie Johns, a reward fund started with a mere $500 for information leading to the person responsible for her death.  In just a few days that $500 grew to an amazing $11,800. Originally set up for six months, the reward fund was extended another six months.
One year later, in July of 1986, no one had stepped forward to claim the reward and the local banker and Christian County Sheriff, Dwight McNeil, suggested that since no one had claimed the money it should become a scholarship fund. A letter was sent out to the 265 people who had contributed to the reward fund to see if they wanted their money back, but all agreed that the money should be put into the a scholarship in memory of Jackie Johns. The first Jackie Johns Scholarship in the amount of $300 was awarded to Paul Cox by the directors of fund: Marilyn Richmond, Kristy Keltner, and Barbara Kreider. [adsenseyu1]

On January 23, 2012 the Nixa Education Foundation was presented a check in the amount of $13,442.83 officially turning over the Jackie Johns Scholarship Fund to their care. Anyone interested in donating to the NEF Jackie Johns Scholarship Fund may do so at

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