Albert Richard Johnson

Albert Richard Johnson, 89, of the Poplar Hill community, died on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at his home. He was born December 20, 1922, at White Gate, the second son of the late John and Lois Sadler Johnson. He was also preceded in death by his cherished wife of 60 years, Joan Hourigan Johnson; two brothers, John and Charles Johnson; and a sister, Molly Johnson. He was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Pearisburg High School in 1940. He earned an Applied Science degree from Wytheville Community College in 1975. He worked at Celanese Corp. in Narrows before serving three years in the United States Army in World War II. He retired in 1984 after 30 years with the Virginia Department of Corrections to farm full time. He was an elder and Sunday school superintendent for many years at Walkers Creek Presbyterian Church and also a founder and officer of the Poplar Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the White Gate Ruritan Club. In recent years he continued to farm his land at Poplar Hill in partnership with his nephew Mike Johnson of White Gate. He is survived by three daughters and son-in-law, Deanne Johnson Estrada and husband, Steven; the Rev. Terri Johnson Gregory; Linda Kathryn Johnson; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Catherine Brandon; grandson, Eric Rupe and wife Jane Young Rupe; great-grandchildren, Kelly and Kyle Rupe; a sister-in-law, Masel Johnson Collins; and 14 nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, with the Rev. Terri Johnson Gregory and the Rev. Dennis Martin officiating. Burial in Walkers Creek Cemetery, White Gate. Visitation will be Friday after 2 p.m., and the family will be receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Poplar Hill-White Gate Volunteer Fire Department, the White Gate Ruritan Club or the Walkers Creek Cemetery Inc.