Duffus "Poppy" Johnston

Asheville Duffus Burton Poppy Johnston, 82, of 6 Ferry Road died Friday, February 16, 2006 at his home following an extended illness. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County. Mr. Johnston retired in 1985 from Gerber Baby Products following 24 years service and was formerly employed with J.A. Baker Packing Company. He was veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He was the son of the late Boyd Duffus Johnston and Gertrude Buckner Johnston and also preceded in death by four brothers, one sister, son-in-law, Dale Rogers and great grandson, Brandon Rogers. Surviving are his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret Lance Johnston of the home; daughters, Alice Roland and husband, Bill of Cherokee, Lola Rogers of Asheville, Marilyn Pernell and husband, Johnny of Louisburg, N.C.; grandchildren, Randy Rogers and wife, Dorothy, Leanna Moody and husband, Mike, Stacie Ingram, Brian Pernell and wife, Dana and Brianne Phelps and husband, Jeremy; step-grandchildren, Shelia Almand, Mike Pernell, John Pernell and Cindy Middleton; sister, Louise Gosnell of Asheville; 16 great grandchildren and special friends, Leroy & Louise Presley of Asheville. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Higgins officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and at other times the family will be at the residence. Memorials may be made to Mtn. Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813. A special thanks to Hospice for their love and care of Mr. Johnston and our family. Pallbearers will be Randy, Adam, Ben, Jeremy and Seth Rogers, Mike, Joshua and Chad Moody, Brian Pernell, Jeremy Phelps, Scott, Justin and Robbie Morgan.