Martha Johnston

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my own garden forever.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson “…and so now I play “thrip” for a triple-word score.” ~Martha Walden Johnston Our beloved, Martha Walden Johnston, after ninety years spent in service to others, peacefully passed at home in her sleep on August 26, 2024. Her family, friends, and acquaintances celebrate her life, fervently wishing for her soul’s contentment and eternal bliss. Martha’s heart-felt love for her husband of 37 years, George McCartney Johnston (Deceased 1997), her children, Molly Johnston, Thad Johnston and spouse (Nikki Johnston)and Kevin Johnston and spouse (Daisy Levy), grandchildren Pierce and Ty Johnston, Ryan Brewer and Amy Cacho, and nephews Patrick and Gray Bekurs knew no bounds. Likewise, her devotion to the earth (much like her love of boardgames) stands as a testament to her commitment to creating life, leaving us with sustaining memories, full hearts, and eyes ever focused on the joys of the world. Born 1934 in Troy, Alabama to Charlie and Ann Walden, Martha eventually attended Auburn University. She and Mac met in 1958, married soon after, and headed West, embarking on a lasting (and well-travelled) partnership spanning 37 years and culminating in a 1984 move to Tennessee. Whether making a living, raising kids, or pounding others at the bowling alley, the two shared deep-rooted responsibility for supporting their children’s growth, building a thriving business, achieving award-winning landscapes, and out-striking, out-bridging opponents. Oh, they generally looked spectacular doing it. Living for Martha was a collaborative enterprise and her “fierce intelligence” prevailed when needed. What was she best at? Lasagna, a brilliant wordsmith, fervent competitor of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with her grandchildren, teaching her oldest son to drive a stick, beating the same oldest son every time at Scrabble, Yahtzee, and bowling, cultivating manners, and generating community support. Martha knew horticulture, farming, and how to whisper to cows. She sang beautifully. Cass Elliot had nothing on her. Lastly, Martha could disarm curmudgeons harmlessly with a smile physicists are still trying to figure out. All interested in celebrating her life are invited to attend a 11:00 a.m. service being held at Lynchburg Funeral Home on Sunday, September 1, 2024, located at 1630 Fayetteville Highway. An internment service will follow at Rose Bank Cemetery in Flat Creek. We’ll have directions on Sunday for that. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In closing, we encourage you to join us in our celebration of a remarkable woman’s life. Would that we all get to walk in her garden or, perhaps sit, book in hand, with the cows…

Martha Johnston

May 13, 1934 - August 26, 2024