Areta Ann Johnston, 76, of Franklin, passed away on Wednesday, February 26 at 2:34 a.m. at The Caring Place where she had resided for the past seventeen months.
Born August 20, 1937 in Franklin, Areta was the daughter of the late Boyd Goodwill and Marian (Morrison-Goodwill) Knooihuizen. She was married to James E. Johnston, who survives. Areta and Jim lived for most of their marriage in California; returning to live in Franklin in 1999.
Areta worked for the US Department of the Navy as a Program Manager for numerous years prior to her retirement.
She was a member of the Episcopalian Church until she married her husband, and then became a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. Areta was an avid reader. She was a very devoted mother, who loved her family and the times she spent with them.
In addition to her husband, Areta is survived by her 3 daughters, Kim Bogart of Vienna, VA; Katherine Young and her husband, Steven, of King George, VA; and Caroline Johnston of Franklin.
She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, James Bogart of Vienna, VA, Elisabeth Pafford and her husband, Andrew, of Bethesda, MD, Briana Coats and her husband, Bronson, of Virginia Beach, VA, Bryce Young and his wife, Samantha, of King George, VA, and Blaine Young of King George, VA; and her 3 great-grandchildren, Donovan, Zachary and Alexander Coats, of Virginia Beach, VA. Areta is additionally survived by her 2 sisters, Joann Twombly of Escondido, CA, and Melissa Day of Chandler, AZ.
In addition to her parents, Areta was preceded in death by her sister, Amelia Eisenhuth.
Family and friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Saturday, March 1 from 10-11 a.m. A funeral service will held at 11 at the funeral home following visitation, with Deacon Richard Reed of St. Patrick Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Caring Place for their loving care of our mother.
To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.