Edwin Dargan Johnston Sr.

Edwin Dargan Johnston, Sr. -MACON - After a wonderful life of 93 years, devoted husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather, Edwin Dargan Johnston, Sr. of 5300 Zebulon Rd. went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday April 2, 2012. -Born January 7, 1919 in Chattanooga, TN, as the first of four sons of Pinkney Leslie and Hilda Baker Johnston. He grew up in Miami and Jacksonville, and settled in Atlanta where he graduated from Boys High. Along with his three brothers, he attained the rank of Bronze Palm Eagle, in the Boy Scouts of America, in a troop chartered by Druid Hills Baptist Church. Along with two of his brothers, he attended GA Tech. After answering a call to the Gospel Ministry of Jesus Christ, he transferred to Mercer University in Macon to begin his academic career in Biblical studies. He graduated from Mercer in 1941 and entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where he met and married the love of his life, Nancy Belle Woolley. He graduated from Southern Seminary with a Masters of Theology degree in 1944 and enlisted in the US Army where he served on active duty at the end of WWII as a chaplain, primarily on transport ships bringing troops home from the European Theatre. He continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as a chaplain, retiring in 1978 with the rank of Colonel. -In 1948 Ed and Nancy with their young daughter moved to England for Ed to study at the University of Manchester. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in New Testament in 1950. He would later also receive a Doctor of Theology degree from Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville in 1955. -In 1950 Ed began 39 years of teaching Bible at Mercer University, including some years of teaching Greek. He served as Roberts Professor of Christianity until his retirement in 1989. During his retirement, he also was a member of Mercer's Board of Trustees. Dr. Johnston counted it a privilege to serve as pastor or interim pastor of several churches in KY and GA, particularly enjoying seasons at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth, Irwinton Baptist Church, and Elko Baptist Church. During his retirement years, his great passion was researching and writing about the Christian college, hoping to complete a book, but his own health decline prevented this goal. His family cherishes the example of his life of humility, righteousness and justice and especially his latter years of caring ministry for his beloved wife Nancy. -They were married for 61 years until Nancy's passing in 2005. Ed was a member of Ingleside Baptist Church and the Brotherhood Sunday School class and served as a Deacon. -Ed is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Gwen and Charles Weston of Macon, GA; his son and daughter-in-law Dr. Edwin D. Jr. and Nancy Bess Johnston of Rome, GA; his son and daughter-in-law David and Mary Beth Johnston of Forsyth, GA; Eleven grandchildren: Dr. Charles H. (Michelle) Weston, Jr. of Evans, GA; Leslie W. (Trey) Gavin of Juliette, GA; Susannah Johnston, Nancy Mize Johnston, Tripp Johnston, Myra Frances Johnston, Alice Johnston all of Rome, GA; Lindsey J.(David) Childs of Ft.Walton Beach, FL Taylor Johnston, Benji Johnston, Niki Johnston of Forsyth, GA; Four great grandchildren: Hinton Weston, Harleigh Weston, Eliza Gavin, Jack Gavin Brothers: Robert (Doris) Johnston, Atlanta, GA, Stephen (Eva) Johnston, Huntsville, AL, David (Esta) Johnston, Fairfax, VA. -The family is extremely grateful to the staff of Harrington House at Carlyle Place and to the staff of Hospice of Central Georgia. -Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 5, 2012, at 11:00AM, in the chapel of Ingleside Baptist Church with Dr. Tim McCoy officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, entering through the north gate. -The family will greet friends on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, from 5:30PM until 7:30PM, at Hart's Mortuary on Cherry Street. -Register online at www.hartsmort.com. -Memorial gifts may be made to Ingleside Baptist Church Missions. -Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.