Grace Johnston

Era Grace Hedrick Johnston, 99, of Statesville, died March 17, 2011, at Blowing Rock Hospital in Blowing Rock, N.C. She was born September 2, 1911 in Alexander County and was the daughter of the late James Clarence Hedrick and Sarah Brady Hedrick. She was a graduate of Alexander School and Davis Hospital School of Nursing. On December 26, 1935, she married Walter Lafayette Johnston, who preceded her in death on September 30, 1981. Mrs. Johnston was a member of First ARP Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was also a member the Marjorie Walker Bible Class and the Beta Sigma Phi. Mrs. Johnston was a homemaker. She was a very graceful lady, who brought joy to many. She loved her church, her family, and her Lord. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by one daughter, Sylvia Grace Johnston Munroe of Whiteville, N.C. and one son, Walter Lafayette Johnston, Jr., along with four brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Johnston is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Johnston Phillips of Blowing Rock, N.C; seven grandchildren, John Frances Munroe of Bald Head Island, Walter Johnston Munroe, of Whiteville, N.C., Homer Alexander Munroe of Wilmington, N.C., Grace Ann Munroe Phillips (Richard) of San Angelo, TX., Mary Carrington Johnston Dulin (Phil) of Statesville, Walter Lafayette Johnston III, of Margo, FL, and Grace Allen Phillips of Blowing Rock, N.C.; six great-grandchildren, Sylvia Gabrielle Munroe and Johnanna Brooke Munroe, both of Bald Head, N.C., Alexann Munroe Phillips and Frances Grace Phillips, both of San Angelo, TX, Jennifer Crouch Elliott (Nash) of Estill, S.C., and John Philip Dulin of Statesville. She is also survived by son-in-law Dr. John Frances Munroe of Whiteville, N.C. and daughter-in-law Kay James Johnston of The Villages, FL, along with numerous loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Johnston will be conducted 11:00 AM Monday, March 21, 2011 at First ARP Church with Rev. Robert Sherer officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be assembled at the home of Phil and Mary Dulin, 231 Ridgeway Ave., where they will visit with friends on Sunday afternoon, from 4:00 until 6:00 PM. The body will lie in state at Nicholson Funeral Home until the funeral. Pallbearers will be John Munroe, Jr., Walter Munroe, Alex Munroe, Walter Johnston, III, John Philip Dulin, Ward Phillips, Phil Dulin, and Challen Bonar. Memorials may be made to First ARP Church, 123 East Broad Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677, or to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 205 Regency Exec. Park Dr., Suite 102, Charlotte, N.C. 28217. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries . Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Era Grace Hedrick Johnston.