Johnston, Clinton Scott

Clinton Scott Johnston, 72, died at home on October 20, 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shuler Jackson Johnston and Sarah Masel Buchanan Johnston, Trigg, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Chafin Johnston, Blacksburg; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Steven Schilling, Blacksburg; stepgrandsons, Peter Schilling and John Schilling, both of Richmond; sister Frances Allen, Pearisburg; sister and brother-in-law, Alva and Doak Lucas, Newport; brother and sister-in-law, James and Bobbie Johnston, Roanoke; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Norma Chafin, Pearisburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clinton was a long-time member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church (BUMC). He received a heart transplant in 1993, which both enabled and compelled him to write a book, In Search of the Kingdom. This book is Clinton’s testimony to the triumph of spirit over adversity. A memorial fund has been established at BUMC to help provide for the re-publication of In Search of the Kingdom. Memorial contributions to this fund may be made directly to: Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St. SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

Clinton’s family wishes to express deepest gratitude: to God, our source and our strength; to Bunny Hancock; for the enduring care and commitment from our network of medical professionals, extended family, and friends; for Clinton’s life on earth; and, for his eternal life, surely much bigger and brighter than even he could have imagined.

The funeral will be held at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. Visitation will be in the church’s Whisner Building from 12:30 p.m. to time of service that day. Rev. Reginald Tuck and Rev. Morris Fleischer will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens of the New River Valley, Blacksburg. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. — St. Francis of Assisi