Edward R. Johnston

March 8, 1921 – July 26, 2013

Mr. Edward Russell Johnston, age 92, a resident of 1101 Day Beacon Drive, Belhaven, died Friday, July 26, 2013 at Vidant Pungo Hospital in Belhaven.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2013, at the First Christian Church of Belhaven officiated by Rev. Burke Holland and Mike Isbell. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Mr. Johnston was born in Belhaven, on March 8, 1921, to the late Arthur Lee Johnston and Rosa Lee Shavender Johnston. On February 6, 1943, he married the late Carley Burch Smith Johnston, who preceded him in death on November 11, 2010. Mr. Johnston served as Belhaven’s Postmaster for 26 years. He was an avid hunter and made many friends through hunting. Mr. Johnston was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Belhaven, NC, American Legion, Belhaven Chamber of Commerce, and was the “Man of the Year” in Belhaven in 1959. He was a member of Duck’s Unlimited, North Carolina Wildlife Fund, was a past chief of the Belhaven Fire Department and had served a term as president of the North Carolina Association of Postmasters. Mr. Johnston served his country in the United States Navy from 1939-1947, where he received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in action.

Mr. Johnston is survived by his children: Edward Russell Johnston, Jr. and wife Laura of Wake Forest, NC, Carley Burch Johnston Sowder and husband Joel of Belhaven, NC and Arthur S. Johnston and wife Wanda of Greenville, NC, grandchildren: Scott Ellis Tetterton and Carley Lee Tetterton Baynor both of Belhaven, NC, Elisabeth Robbins Johnston Dowse of Florence, SC and Christina Leigh Johnston Henderson of Raleigh, NC and nine great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Johnston is preceded in death by brothers: Otis Johnston, Lester Johnston, Bill Johnston, John Arthur Johnston, Gene Johnston and Rufus Johnston and sisters: Mildred J. Woodward, Cora J. Whisnant, Rose J. Ware and Sadie Rae J. Shavender.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 419 East Main Street, Belhaven, NC 27810.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Johnston Family.