Franklin – Anita Mae Poe "Nita" Johnson, 69, went to our heavenly Father on October 7, 2009. She was born in Maybeury, WV, and was predeceased by her father, Henry Elmer Poe, her stepfather, Tony Treolo and a brother Danny Poe.
Anita was a member of High Street United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She loved her Lord, her family, and all people, and loved to listen to the choirs sing. Even in death, Anita was thinking of others by her desire to donate her body to science.
Just before the retirement of her husband, she became interested in NASCAR Racing and enjoyed going to the races because she could not truly hear the roar of the engines and the smell of rubber from the tires when watching the race on TV. She loved to work in the yard even when she did not feel well.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 52 years, Rev. Edward C. Johnson; two daughters, Rebecca Gostomski of Jacksonville, NC and Karen Whipple (Terry) of Westminster, MD; three sons, Edward Johnson (Donna) of Richmond, James Johnson (Cathy) of Jacksonville, NC, and Tim Johnson (Cathy) of Staunton; her mother, Josephine Treolo; eleven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Service of Joy will be celebrated at 2 pm Saturday at High Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Susan Reaves, Rev. Tommy Herndon, and Rev. Dr. John Vest officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Friday at Wright Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to High Street United Methodist Church's Relay for Life in honor of her mother, Jo Treolo and granddaughter, Melinda Whipple, who are cancer survivors at P. O. Box 218, Franklin, VA 23851.