FRANK MARTIN JOHNSTON

Frank Martin Johnston, 97, passed away at home on November 6, 2019. He was born January 19, 1922 in the Little Railroad community of Pulaski, VA. He was the second son of William Preston Johnston and Abbie Elizabeth Bond Johnston.

He proudly served his country in WWII as a member of the 877th Airborne Engineers Aviation Battalion HQ Company, riding glider planes behind enemy lines to repair landing strips for our young pilots who couldn't limp back to base. He served in Austria, England, France, Luxembourg, Holland, and Belgium.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nannie Patrick Johnston, his parents, his stepfather Kunkle Johnston, and his brothers Audrey, Arnold, Donald and Glenn Johnston.

He is survived by his brother Garnett "Cotton" (Ruth) Johnston of Gainesville, VA, daughters Suzie Webb of Bluefield, VA, Rosa Johnston of King NC, and Frankie Brewster (Troy Nipper) of Lovingston, VA, five grandchildren Robert Webb (Chris), Wendy Olinger (Paul), Angela Ratliff (Jacob), Trey Brewster, and Cody Brewster (Courtney Cohen) and 10 great grandchildren Clay, Sam, Jordan, Zack, Nathan, Luke, Parker, Bella, Barrett and Brock.

He loved to spend time outdoors tending his garden, cutting wood, farming, hunting, camping and fishing. His legacy will live on in the family and friends he shared these times with.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield Virginia at 11am with Reverend Ray Amos officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Friends may visit with the family on Friday November 8, 2019 at the funeral home from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Project Healing Waters, an organization that provides fishing experiences for veterans, at PO Box 695 La Plata, MD 20646. Noting the Southwest VA program in the memo will route donations to our region.