Caroline D. Johnston | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: November 18, 1939, Died: March 28, 2015

    Caroline Deaton Johnston, a resident of Bath, NC and age 75, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, March 28, 2015 at Vidant Hospital in Greenville, NC, with her devoted husband David by her side. Caroline fought a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Although the disease eventually robbed her of the ability to walk and talk, she maintained her sense of humor, concern for others, and most of all, her radiant smile, to the end.

    Caroline was the daughter of the late R.L and Fannie Howard (Pearce) Deaton and was born in Pinehurst, NC. She grew up on Cowper Drive in Raleigh, NC and relished summers spent at Kure Beach, NC with her brother, parents and grandparents. Caroline graduated from Broughton High School and Peace College, where she majored in business.

    Caroline and David were high school sweethearts and married March 31, 1961 in the campus chapel at North Carolina State University, where David was a Civil Engineering major. After David's graduation in 1963, the young couple moved near Washington DC, courtesy of the US Air Force, while David was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Caroline and David made their home in Northern Virginia for almost 30 years, where they raised their son and daughter. Caroline was proud of her career working for the US Government, the Fairfax News Bureau of The Washington Post and as Office Manager for SCS Construction Services, Inc. Even more so, Caroline's passion, generosity, and creativity was expressed with food! She was the consummate hostess and loved entertaining and cooking gourmet meals of all cuisines, and for all holidays, for friends and family.

    Caroline returned to her native Raleigh, NC in 1992. Caroline and David enjoyed Raleigh life for almost 20 years, but even more so, enjoyed their new lifestyle as "week-enders" and vacation homeowners in Bath, NC. Caroline quickly settled in as co-hostess of many celebrations and parties there, including annual 'Oktoberfest' where she, David and their neighbors partied under huge tents and invited the townsfolk to join them. Caroline was an avid tennis competitor and played in the USTA League at Seven (7) Oaks Racquet Club in Raleigh. She was also an accomplished seamstress, making quilts, dolls and costumes for her loved ones. Caroline was also an active member of the "Victorian Tea Society", with whom she dined locally and abroad during several European trips, and of "the Birthday Club" in Sanford, NC. Her greatest joy, however, was being a Grandma and taking the kids on adventures to museums and parks in Raleigh.

    In 2011, Caroline and David moved permanently to Bath. They joined Bath United Methodist Church and lived on 'Beautiful Bath Creek', where they were surrounded by loving friends and family, who supported them emotionally and with meals and friendship during Caroline's illness.

    Caroline is survived by her husband of 54 years, David Johnston; son Mark Johnston, partner Makenzie, and grandsons, Mason & Maxof Dallas, TX; daughter Megan Johnston Barnes, husband Robert, and grandchildren, Cameron and Ava Carolineof Surf City, NC; brother Carter Deaton and wife Carole of Bath, NC, sister-in-law Jane Johnston Smith and husband Lynn of Sanford, NC, brother-in-law Al Johnston and wife Adrienne of Bath, NC, and many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Caroline will also be sorely missed by her best "furry" friend Max, and by her compassionate caregivers and friends, Shirley O'Neal and Marian Crenshaw.

    A memorial service will be held at 11am Saturday, April 5, at Bath United Methodist Church (BUMC), 206 S. Main Street, Bath, NC 27808. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to BUMC, PO Box 281, Bath, NC 27808.