Johnston, Edward Lee

Edward Lee Johnston, 88, of Pearisburg, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2008, at his home. Mr. Ed, as he was known by friends, was born on April 25, 1919, in Matewan, W.Va., a son of the late Miles Lee Johnston and Minnie Stephens Johnston.

He was a retired supervisor from Celanese with 41 years of employment. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Pearisburg, and of Giles Masonic Lodge #106 A.F. and A.M. He was also active in the Giles County Historical Society and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His long years of service at Celanese, his love of horses, farming, square dancing and his repairing and selling vacuum cleaners led him to many friendships throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ruby Butts Johnston, in 2004; and brother, Donald Scott Johnston, in 2003. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry E. and June Johnston, of Lebanon, Va., and Michael L. and Carole Johnston, of Pearisburg; four grandchildren, Cheryl Ball and husband, Jonathan, of Knoxville, Tenn., Adam Johnston, of Roanoke, Michele Clarke and husband, Grant, of Nashville, Tenn., and Andy Johnston, of Roanoke; a sister, Lillian Johnston Pack, of Bridgewater, Va.; sisters and brother-in-law, Ruby Davis Johnston, of Staffordsville, Va., Nancy Butts Ashworth, of Princeton, W.Va., Louise Butts, Roanoke, and Luther and Estelle Butts, Pearisburg; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg with the Rev. Ronnie Mutter, Dr. Fred Austin, and the Rev. Shirley Larson officiating. Entombment with Masonic Rites will follow in the Birchlawn Abbey, Pearisburg.

The family will receive friends at Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg on Saturday afternoon, March 1, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Those wishing to place memorials, please consider the Giles Christian Mission, 766 N. Main St., Pearisburg, Va. 24134 or the GCCC Bible Bus, P.O. Box 538, Pembroke, Va. 24136. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.givensfuneralhome.com.