of Batesville, AR
August 22, 1920 - October 11, 2014
Norman E. ''N. E.'' Johnston, 94, of Batesville died Saturday, October 11, 2014. Born August 22, 1920 in Pleasant Plains, he was the son of James Edd Johnston and Luna Lenora Johnston.
He was a 1938 graduate of Batesville High School and attended Arkansas College. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving in the 153rd infantry stationed in Alaska. N.E. was the co-owner of Goodwin's Drug Store in Batesville for many years, and later operated a wholesale dry goods business.
He was a member of West Baptist Church, and served as a deacon and later was named deacon emeritus. He was a Mason, and a member of the Mount Zion Lodge #10 Scottish Rite, the Batesville Civil War Round Table and a volunteer at White River Medical Center. In 1960, he was presented the Arkansas Traveler Certificate by Governor Orval Faubus. A collector of knives and Indian artifacts, he donated his large collection of artifacts to the Old Independence Regional Museum.
Survivors include two nieces and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda Burks Johnston; and four brothers, Edwin Johnston, Erwin Johnston, Elston Johnston and Gerald Johnston.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home Chapel in Batesville with Bro. Bob Dailey officiating.
Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Rob Emery, Howard Norton, Chris Johnston, Alva Burks, Barry Burks, Dr. Arvil Burks and Larry Bentley.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Robert Craig, Mike Hill, Dennis Leggett, Jimmy Darling, Dr. Robert Walton, Blair Arnold and Cindy Fletcher.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 14, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.
Memorials may be made to the Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. 9th Street, Batesville, AR 72501
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5 Condolence(s)
pam stanley tyson
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Mr. N E was a dear friend of our family and especially my dad, robert stanley, they were both deacons at West Baptist Church and spent many hours just talking and praying. After N E became a christian, he was devoted to his God, his family and friends. He will be missed!
Mike Hill
Monday, October 13, 2014
My wife lived on the same block, (opposite ends)with only one house between. She has known NE all her life and he recognized her and called her by name on our last visit. No one (at least not me) knows how he came to be called "Shug", but that was the name we all Knew him by, An interesting anecdote, which he loved to tell, is how he came to be Norman Edward. He was deployed to Alaska at the beginning on WW2 and during the processing, he was asked his name, he replied that it was Norman. The officer asked him for his full name, and he repiled, "Norman. This did not suit the officer and he barked at Shug that he wanted his full name. He again replied that was his full name, he had no other. At that, he was told that every soldier had a first and middle name. Lacking a middle name, he just thought up "Edward" and that was entered into his military record. After that, he officially became Norman E. Johnston. To all who knew him, however, he remained with that name of endearment, "Shug".
Kim White
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Rest in peace Uncle NE. You were a great man and we will see you again one day. Take care of everyone in Heaven for us. Love and miss you
Robert Handford
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Shug was quite the character and was a good buddy of my Dad (Charley) in the 50's-60's when they hunted for indian relicts. He had a really good sense of humor and always seemed to be in good humor. He outlived many of his contemporaries and he was probably ready to go. I regret not seeing him before he passed.
Hill, John M. "Mike"
Sunday, October 12, 2014
NE was a man I had known since childhood. Our common interests, Indian artifacts, History, and others led to our becoming close friends in the 1960's. We went on a number of jaunts to places of interest, or Indian sites. (He called them "transactions"), and always called me "Lad". After his Life changing encounter with Jesus Christ, he became an inspiration to me and my wife, Jan. We will miss him, but the stories I could tell about our exploits would fill a book.