Henry Johnston Memmorial Service
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Obituary
Henry Paul Johnston N. Charleston - Henry Paul Johnston, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 26, 2021. His funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2021, in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel. Born June 10, 1935 in Conway, SC, he was a son of the late Henry Hartford Johnston and Doris Johnson Johnston. Henry graduated from Conway High School in 1953. He was employed by Westvaco for 44 years and retired in 1998. He loved NASCAR and owned a used car business for over 40 years. He enjoyed coffee and working in his yard. Henry was a member of Cooper River Baptist Church. Henry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frances Rabon Johnston of North Charleston, SC; a very dear sister-in-law, Clara Johnston of Myrtle Beach, SC; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Henry Steven Johnston and Kenneth Hartford Johnston; his two brothers, E. Gates Johnston and Philip L. Johnston; and his three sisters, Evelyn Cockfield, Marian Jeffcoat, and Helen Perry. Special thanks to family and friends for their love and care and thanks to our very dear caregiver, Amanda Scheibelhoffer for her love and concern and to Amedisys Hospice for their care.
Henry was raised on a family tobacco farm. He was the youngest of six. He had 2 brothers and three sisters. Since Henry was the baby of the family. His older siblings gave him the nickname of “honey”.
There is no doubt that this experience developed in him a strong work ethic and devotion to family. He would often recount the memories he has as a child getting into mischief with his cousins.
Sometime later he met the love of his life and in 1956 they were married. They have been married for 65 years.
Henry got a job at the paper mill. Where he was employed for 44 years. Upon his initial interview they asked him if he had any experience. He said, “no,but I’ve strung tobacco together.” Needless to say her got the Job.
Henry also had other interest. He loved to buy and sell cars. In fact, Miss Frances said at time she never new from one day to the next what car she would be driving.
Henry was also known to have a deep affection for coffee and yardwork. Henry never left the house without a mug full of hot coffee. I too can appreciate that sentiment.
Henry loved to be out in the yard. He loved to water the grass and maintain the yard. In fact, Henry loved it so much that he wouldn’t just let anyone cut his grass.
So if you are one of the privileged few to have trimmed Mr. Henry’s grass, you should feel honored.
After a battle with COPD. Mr Henry went home to be with Lord and is now rejoicing in heaven alongside his two sons.
Psalm 23 is probably one of the most famous passages of scripture in the Bible. It brings a comforting picture to mind of our God, like a shepherd leading us.
It was also one of Henry’s favorite passages. In fact, a few short days before he passed, Frances asked Henry if he’d like to pray. He said, yes. Then began to recite this Psalm word for word.
This Psalm is one of the favorite for a reason. It is an accurate depiction of our lives here on earth.
Trans: Listen to these words
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
In the first verse the Psalmist makes it clear that because he has The good shepherd, he has all that he needs. He has everything in Jesus Christ.
Then we see in the next t verse that as we follow Christ, there are amazing moments of joy, peace, and comfort.
Psalm 23:2 (CSB)
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
Then in verse 3 we see that he leads us down the right paths for his name sake. So we understand that God is leading us.
But then in the very next verse, the Psalmist shows us that with the same understanding of God’s sovereignty and leading that He also takes us through some difficult times. Not everything is always easy, when your following the shepherd.
In fact, we are gathering today because of a difficult time. We are grieving the loss of a husband and friend. But even though we find that we are in this difficultly and sorrow we can have confidence in knowing that the Shepherd will comfort us. He will lead us and one day we can say with Henry, “ I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever”.
But you all of these promises brings us back to verse 1.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.
These promises of comfort are based on the foundation of Jesus Christ being your good shepherd. It is only in Him that we can say will , “I have what I need”.
For many years Henry could not recite this verse with sincerity. In fact, Henry would attend church with his wife Frances and during the invitation. She would often quietly nudge him with her elbow and ask if he would like pray and accept Christ. He would then reply, I will when I’m ready.
But then in 1998 through some interesting circumstances. Henry bowed his head, repented of his sins, and accepted Jesus as his Lord, savior and shepherd.
From that point on Henry was a different man. Not a perfect man, none of us are but the Lord, changed him. In fact, Henry was so excited that he began to tell everyone what had happened to him, to the point where others thought he should tone it tone a bit.
Now in death, He has been raised to life. He is forever with our Lord. He’s gotten to leave this mess of a wold behind and is now dwelling with our savior.
Maybe you hear today and you’ve realized that you cannot sincerely say “The Lord is my Shepherd”. Maybe you like Henry did for many years have delayed giving your life to Jesus Christ. Will you do that today. Will you humble yourself, turn away from your sin, and by faith trust Jesus Christ Will you give yourself permission to consider the truth.
Jesus said, John 14:6
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
You could leave here today rejoicing with Henry saying, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have what I need”.
Benediction: Lets Pray.
Our Heavenly Father, at a time when we are acutely aware of the death of a loved one, we thank You for Your living presence with us. Your unfailing companionship with us gives us comfort for today and courage for tomorrow.
In Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have revealed Yourself as a God of grace and glory. Through His life we have been blessed. Through His death we have been redeemed. Through His resurrection, we have been filled with vibrant hope.
In our sorrow, help us to look to the risen Christ. Help us to truly believe that what You did for Him You will also do for us. You raised Him from the dead to give Him eternal life. Remind us that You have promised eternal life to all who believe in You through faith in Your Son. On this difficult day, lead each of us to a deeper level of resurrection faith.