Rev. Robert Franklin Johnston

ROCKY MOUNT – Rev. Robert Franklin Johnston, age 84, claimed the Promise of the Resurrection on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.  Born in Jefferson County, AL on February 13, 1941, he was the son of the late Owen Franklin Johnston and Esther Lucile Hembree Johnston.

As a youth Robert was active in Boy Scouts, DeMolay, Band, A Capella Choir, ROTC and his church’s youth group.  In his teen years he felt a call to the ministry.  After graduation from Central High School in Memphis, TN, he worked summers and part-time while attending college and earned his B.A. from Lambuth College in Jackson, TN.  In his last two years of college, Robert served as student pastor in the Holston Conference.

While at Lambuth, Robert met a fellow student, Nancy Scott, and, after dating only nine months, he proposed to her.  They were married on June 9, 1962.

As the Vietnam situation was looming and Robert didn’t want to have his seminary studies interrupted by a call from Uncle Sam, he enlisted and served proudly in the US Army with the Corps of Engineers as a Chaplain’s Asst. from 1963-1966, after which he pursued his goal of becoming a Minister.  He earned his Masters of Christian Education from Chandler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA, in 1968, during which time he worked as Educational Assistant at Clarkston Methodist Church in Clarkston, GA.  In June 1968, he accepted a position as Director of Christian Education at Mayfair United Methodist Church in Kingsport, TN.  He moved to Virginia in 1971 and became Director of Christian Education at Springfield UMC in Springfield, VA.  A few years later, Robert discerned a call to the clergy ministry.  He earned his Masters of Divinity from Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. in 1975 and was ordained an Elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church in June 1976.

Robert pastored for many years in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He was an active member of the Richmond Emmaus Community and served as a Spiritual Director on many Emmaus Walks.  Robert had a great sense of humor and loved to be around people.

Robert served the communities in which he lived in various ways:  as a Volunteer Fireman, Fire Dept. Chaplain, Police Chaplain, Industrial and Commercial Chaplain, Boy Scout Representative and Communications volunteer with the Police Dept. and Special Olympics.

He enjoyed many hobbies: Astronomy, Ham Radio, building model rockets, and building and flying radio-controlled airplanes.  In addition, Robert and Nancy enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing.  After his retirement, he and Nancy studied and became master gardeners.

Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Scott Johnston; his son, Timothy Franklin Johnston of Gloucester, VA; his granddaughter, Amanda Johnston Clark; his great-grandchildren, Andrew Wilhelm, Ian Clark, Izabelle Clark, and Sophia Clark; his brother, David Johnston and wife, Astrid, of Mobile, AL; and his cousin, Terry Ann Butts and husband, Robert, of Franklin, TN.  Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend and will be dearly missed by all.

A Celebration of Robert’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Englewood United Methodist Church, 300 S. Circle Drive, Rocky Mount, NC  27804 with Pastor Nathan Wittman officiating.  A visitation will be from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM prior to the service in the Narthex.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, VA.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Cottage Staff of Spring Arbor Assisted Living, Greenville, NC, for their excellent care of Robert while he was a resident there; to the staff of Hospice of Wilson for their diligent care of him while he was a resident of The Landings of Rocky Mount Mills and the staff of The Landings of Rocky Mount Mills.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert’s memory to Society of St. Andrew (SOSA) (an end hunger program) at 3383 Sweet Hollow Road, Big Island, VA  24526-8517 or Englewood United Methodist Church, 300 S. Circle Drive, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.