09/04/2026
In 1926, Annie Hill Johns left an extraordinary mark on Tyler Junior College with a single word. When students were encouraged to suggest names for TJC’s athletic teams, Annie called out “Apaches!”—and the name immediately resonated. That one word became part of the very culture of TJC, inspiring generations of traditions, including the Apache Belles, drumbeat, Rim Walk and the many ways Apaches celebrate their connection to the College.
Annie’s TJC legacy is also deeply connected to her family and faith. Her father, Dr. Hill, served 31 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church before becoming pastor of Moore Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1946. Under his leadership, the congregation relocated to Fifth Street in 1960, in part because of its proximity to TJC, and soon established the Presbyterian Bible Chair on the TJC campus, taught by the church’s pastor. Annie’s son, Dick Johns ’48, created artwork that can still be found across campus, while granddaughter Janis Johns ’81 continues the family tradition through her longtime service with the Apache Belle Gold Council. From her family to her faith to the name she gave our College, Annie Hill’s impact is woven into the fabric of TJC.