June Ratcliffe Johnston

Edith June Ratcliffe Johnston went to be with her Lord Jesus on May 25, 2023.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of his saints. Psalm 116:15.

June was born on October 1, 1927, to Henry Sherman Ratcliffe and Carriemae Ross Ratcliffe in Abingdon, Virginia. 

She was a graduate from Radford College Women’s Division of VPI and taught school in Giles County for over a decade. She married William (Bill) Russell Johnston, Sr. in 1948, and together they had two sons and a daughter followed by two grandsons and a granddaughter who would later give June 13 great grandchildren to love. June and Bill served the Lord together in Pearisburg, Virginia, until Bill passed away in 2010. June moved to The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia, in 2013 and made numerous friends as she became Mama June to everyone there. She taught a Sunday school class at The Glebe for many years until Covid interrupted. 

June’s greatest passion was that her family and friends would experience the love of her Savior. She longed to see Jesus, her husband Bill, and the many family members and friends who had preceded her, but she continued to serve and love others faithfully until she was called to her eternal home. 

Among the many left to cherish the memories of her love are W.R. Johnston, Jr. (Joy); Teresa Johnston Miller (Mac); Russ Johnston (Brenda); Andrew Nash Miller; and Hannah Miller Aschliman (Kurt). 

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 2:30pm at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg with Dr. Don McKinney officiating.  The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home 1 hour before the service from 1:30 – 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.  Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.