Obituary for Sarah Marie Johnston

The Lord received a faithful servant, Sarah Marie Johnston, into his presence on December 1, 2021.  Marie was born at Trigg on September 6, 1928, the fourth child of Edd Brown and Mabel Parsell Johnston.  She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, William Brown Johnston, and sisters, Margaret Faye Johnston and Ruth Gay Johnston.

Marie was raised on the family farm and graduated from Eggleston High School and West Virginia Business College.  In 1948, she began working in the Bank of Giles County in Pembroke and her career spanned 45 years until her retirement in the early 1990’s at the Pearisburg Office of First Union Bank.

Marie was a quiet, calming presence wherever she was, whether at work, home or Church.  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher and was known for her beautiful voice, and participation in the Church Choir.  The most enduring duty she performed for her church was that of the Church Treasurer, which she served as for over 50 years.  She performed this duty until her recent illness with the utmost attention to detail and professionalism.

Marie is survived by her faithful cousin and caregiver, Connie Johnston Bane, as well as many other cousins, neighbors and her church family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Carilion Giles Community Hospital, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Highland Ridge Rehab, Lewis-Gale Pulaski Community Hospital and Medi Home Health and Hospice for their care of Marie in her last several weeks.

A visitation will be held Monday, December 6th at 1:00 at the Birchlawn Abbey, followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00, with Reverend Pam Sutherland and Pastor Michael Chase officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Connie Bane 4037 Eggleston Rd. Pearisburg, VA 24134.

The family is being served by Givens Funeral Home, Pearisburg.