Narcissa Merritt Johnston Obituary
Contributed by Janet J. Johnston
From Gospel Advocate
November 12, 1908, page 730
Sister Narcis, widow of James Johnston, who died many years ago, fell asleep in Jesus, at her home near Callender Station, in Williamson
County, Tenn., on October 16, 1908, at the advanced aged of a little over ninety-three years. Her funeral was at Owens Chapel, near her
home, the house in which she had been accustomed to meet on Lords day to worship regularly for over forty years, in the presence of a large
audience of her neighbors, her brethren and sisters and friends. Thence her remains were carried to Franklin and laid to rest in Mount Hope
Cemetery, by the side of the remains of her husband. Sister Johnston was one of the pioneer members of that neighborhood. She and Sister M. C.
McDaniel, who still lives in the neighborhood, and who attended the funeral, were instrumental in securing the services of Brother R. B. Trimble
to hold a meeting at Euclid Schoolhouse, which resulted in starting a congregation in a few hundred yards of where Owens Chapel now stands. Thus
these two faithful sisters were truly mothers in the Israel of that community; and the brethren and sisters of that congregation to this day
delight in according to them the honor of starting a tide of influences for good, the extent of which eternity alone can reveal. Sister Johnston
was an earnest and faithful student of the Bible, and was willing and anxious to accept and do what the word of God says do, without adding to or
diminishing from it. She was faithful and devoted in the relations of wife and mother, and always sought to make her family happy and her home
pleasant to all who might visit there. It was one of the Christian homes of that community, and those who visited her greatly enjoyed her
hospitality and her pleasant treatment. Her influence as an earnest, faithful Christian was felt and appreciated wherever she was known. The
loss of her presence and influence will be deeply felt by the congregation there and by the whole community. Sister Johnstons mental and physical
faculties were remarkably well preserved till her last brief illness took all her earthly activities away, so that in every way the family and
friends have most beautiful and pleasant memories of one they so tenderly loved. She leaves a son, a daughter, several grandchildren, and many
relatives and friends, to mourn their loss of one they so highly esteemed in all the relations she sustained toward them. They, therefore, do not
sorrow as those who have no hope. They realize that her devoted and beautiful Christian life prepared her for the enjoyment of all those rich
blessings prepared for the Lords people over there; and if they will faithfully follow her example in living a faithful, godly life on earth,
they may meet her beyond the reach of sickness, death, and sad farewells.
E. G. S.
Contributed by Janet J. Johnston
