Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston

The passing of Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston, age 72, at Carver Living Center, is being announced by her son, Adam David Alphonzo Johnston. Loretta Ruth Johnston was born July 28, 1949 to the late Rev. Dr. David A. Johnston (25th Pastor of Saint Joseph AME, Durham, serving 1948-1958) and Second Episcopal District Supervisor Verdelle Ruth Johnston (serving 1988-1992). She honored her father and mother as a loving and devoted daughter. Loretta departed this life during the late afternoon of December 18th, 2021 and now lives with the Father, eternally. We rejoice and celebrate her life! Loretta was educated in the Durham Public School System and is a proud graduate of the Hillside High School Class of 1967. Upon her graduation from Hillside, Loretta Johnston moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University. She is a double-bison having received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Development. Loretta was a strong advocate for education at all levels and would jokingly boast of being a proud P.H.D. dropout throughout her work life. Loretta followed in the footsteps of her mother in teaching and began her professional career as a pre-K school teacher in the D.C. Public School System. She soon transitioned from teaching to securing government contracts and fundraising resources for primary education. During her tenure as a Management Consultant, she frequently travelled up and down the east coast and the Caribbean to consult on contracts and loved those experiences. Loretta retired as a Management Consultant from Development Associates after 30 years of service. Loretta returned to her hometown of Durham, North Carolina in 2011 after living in Washington, D.C. for over forty years. Loretta was truly a product of the AME church. Loretta was fond of the two churches she called home throughout the course of life. Ms. Johnston served in multiple roles throughout her childhood. Being the daughter of an A.M.E. minister, Loretta prided herself on knowing the tradition and history of the A.ME. church. When Loretta moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University she immediately transitioned her membership from St. Joseph to Metropolitan AME church. Throughout Loretta’s adulthood she remained active in her faith walk with Christ by serving on various Trustee and Stewardship boards at Metropolitan and worked on Bishop William DeVeaux’s campaign for bishop. Upon her relocation to Durham, Loretta stayed active in the St. Joseph Lay organization and the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Organization. She would later apply her vast knowledge of the AME church and St. Joseph in helping create the church history for the 147th Anniversary for St. Joseph A.M.E church. Ms. Johnston was a prideful woman, who believed in the Lord and the importance of the AME church. She had a profound impact on her loved ones and community and she will be missed. Sister Johnston was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Dr. David A. Johnston (25th Pastor of Saint Joseph, Durham, serving 1948-1958) and Second Episcopal District Supervisor Verdelle Johnston (serving 1988-1992), and her beloved sister Doris Johnston Hayes. Loretta is survived by her son, Adam David Alphonzo Johnston; daughter-in-law Chelsea Merritt Johnston; and granddaughter on the way! A service to celebrate the life of Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707, with a viewing from 9:00 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. The Homegoing Service for Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston will be streamed live via the St. Joseph AME Church's website at https://www.stjosephame.org/ Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston will be laid to rest in Beechwood Cemetery. In every effort to protect our families and their guests, face coverings are required.

Ms. Loretta Ruth Johnston

July 28, 1949 - December 18, 2021