Edna Ruth Johnston

Edna Ruth Johnston, age 84, a resident of Greenbrier, went to be with her Lord on December 9, 2025.

Edna Ruth was born on November 9, 1941, in Stratton, Nebraska, to Carl Edward and Anna Ruth Christensen.

She often remarked that she had the perfect childhood on a farm in Beardsley, Kansas. She was raised to value hard work, strength of character, humility, and a love for God and family.

Edna Ruth accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age and lived her life in service to others. It was her nature to place others before herself. People were drawn to her kindness, and she had a gift for making others feel special. She graciously used her gifts to serve as a Sunday School teacher and bus worker in church for many years. Her compassion for people led her to a blessed career in nursing. Nursing was her passion for 30 years, and her dedication to patient care and comfort was exemplary.

Edna Ruth’s greatest treasure was her family. She delighted in the company of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews. She was blessed to have her husband Jim for 14 years. Together, they attended church faithfully, modeled service to others, and just enjoyed life. They joyously attended sporting events, musical performances, dance recitals, and anything their grandchildren were involved in. They rarely missed a ball game and were avid Razorback fans. Edna Ruth was happiest cooking for family, sipping great coffee, spending the day at the ballpark, studying the bible, and traveling. She especially loved to talk about her trips to Europe, Mexico, and Alaska. Her love for adventure remained strong her entire life.

Along with her parents, Edna Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Johnston; daughter, Marla Nusz; son-in-law, Jon Barnard; stepson, Cliff Johnston; stepdaughter-in-law, Sharmon Johnston; stepdaughter, Chrissy Johnston; sister, Mary Etta Cowley; and brother, Carl Christensen.

Edna Ruth's legacy lives on through her children, Christi Barnard; Sam Patton (Ginger); Rodney Patton (Lori); and son-in-law, Randall Nusz; stepchildren: Cheryl Linn, Debi Ethridge, and Craig Johnston (Shawn); siblings: Ethel Schulze; Kenneth Christensen (Liz); and sister-in-law Barbara Christensen; grandchildren: Kristen Proffit (Scott), Ryan Barnard (Brittany), Jon Michael Barnard, Haleigh Brown (Jake), Connor Barnard (Courtney), Logan Patton (Kayla), Allyson Patton, Savannah Patton, Bethany West (Michael), Jordan Patton, Jarrett Ray (Maddie), Harrison Day, and Sawyer Ray; nine step-grandchildren; thirty-five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10-11 am at Lifesong Baptist Church in Greenbrier, AR.

Funeral will begin at 11, following visitation, with Pastor Freddie Mark Wilcox officiating.