Emma Marie Johnston

On February 22, 2025, Emma M. Johnston was wrapped in the arms of the Angels and carried to Heaven to receive her Heavenly Wings. 

Emma was born to the late Hugh and Mabel (Gibson) Barnette in 1937. Emma met and later married the love of her life in 1955, Rev. George Johnston for 59 1/2 years. Emma dedicated her life to serving God and was a faithful member of Calvary Tabernacle for 48 years. Emma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and caretaker of many people over the course of her life. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. George H. Johnston; in laws, Andrew and Martha Johnston; three brothers, Hugh Barnette, Jr., Paul Barnette, and Carter Barnette; two sisters, Naomi Marr and Mabel Barnette; and two sons in law, Gary Dunford and Leslie Payne. 

Left to cherish her memory include, 6 wonderful children: Genevieve (Curtis) Dunford of Wytheville, VA; Deborah (Mike) Compton, Beverly (Brian) Walker, Teresa Dunford and companion Steven Hines, all of Bluefield, WV; Orville (Carmen) Johnston, of San Angelo, TX; Karen Payne and companion Dean Bird of Princeton, WV; 14 grandchildren: Heather (Chris) Samuels, Dustin Dunford, Lindsey (Tyler) Cline, Krystal (Mike) Ford, Cody (Kim) Walker, Tiffany (Tim) Erb, Daniel Walker, Brandon Dunford and companion Jennifer Haynes; Derek (Amber) Dunford, Emalee Dunford and fiancé Patrick Myers, George N. Johnston, Geoffrey Johnston and companion Daisy, Amanda (Jamie) Brown, Kevin (Autum) Payne; 19 great grandchildren: Joshua, Kyle, Ellison, Nolan, Boone, Brooklyn, Michael, Haleigh, Ryleigh, Noah, Mackenzie, Serenity, Maverick, Jack, Warren, Letty, Violet, Kaden and Jaycee; siblings, John (Carolyn) Barnette of Bluefield, David (Georgia) Barnette of Green Valley, Margaret Hambrick of Michigan, Anderson (Yvonne) Barnette of Princeton, Danny Barnette of Princeton, Kim (Dale) Tignor of Princeton, Elizabeth Barnette of Princeton, and special friend Karen Farley and her fur baby Blue.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11:00am at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Rev. David Lee officiating and Grandson Brandon Dunford presenting the eulogy. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens where Brandon Dunford, Michael Ford, Derek Dunford, Dustin Dunford, Cody Walker, and Kevin Payne, George N. Johnston and Geoffrey Johnston will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home.