FRANKLIN—Rev. Edward Coleman Johnson, 73, was called home to our heavenly Father on May 3, 2013. Born in Bramwell, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Vester Coleman and Margaret Evelyn Boothe Johnson and was predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Anita Mae Poe “Nita” Johnson.

Rev. Johnson was a graduate of Emory and Henry College and ordained as a United Methodist minister in 1958. During his ministry, he served over sixteen charges in Virginia and surrounding states and retired from Oxford United Methodist Church, Suffolk, VA in 2010. It was during his ministry at High Street United Methodist Church that he and his wife, Anita, decided to make their permanent family home in Franklin. During his ministry, he made a profound impact on the lives of those he served. He enjoyed traveling to visit his children and their families, NASCAR and fishing. He will be greatly missed by all his family – both biological and his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters; Rebecca Kaye Glenn (Jerry) of Lexington, N.C. and Karen Danette Whipple (Terry) of Westminster, MD; three sons, Edward Coleman Johnson (Donna) of Mechanicsville, VA, James Alfred Johnson (Cathy) of Jacksonville, N.C., and Timothy Allen Johnson (Cathy) of Staunton, VA; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and his faithful companion, Princess.

A memorial Service of Joy will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at High Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Ashley, Rev. Michael Baugham, Rev. Tommy Herndon and Rev. Dr. John Vest officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home and requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the organizations that Rev. Johnson faithfully supported, which are the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2600 Network Blvd., Suite 300, Frisco, TX 75034 and The Centre of Redemption, P.O. Box 1271, Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 28480. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.