Obituary: R Melvin Johns, 2002 Source: The Daily Progress, December 31, 2002 Contributor: Dennis Truslow ------------------------------------------------------------------- R. Melvin "Swink" Johns, 91, of Lovingston, died peacefully Monday afternoon, Dec. 30, 2002, at the Lovingston Health Care Center with his family by his side. Born Jan. 29, 1911, in Nelson County on the Oak Ridge Estate, he was a son of the late Herbert Walker Johns and Cynthia Tyree Johns. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Liz" Giles Johns of Feb. 15, 1996. Swink as his family and friends knew him, was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Lovingston until his illness, was raised on the Oak Ridge Estate where he was employed for many years and met and married his late wife Liz. He was later employed by Lea Brothers Motor Company of Lovingston and served as Justice of the Peace in Nelson County for over 20 years. He was a charter member of the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 92, AF & AM of Lovingston and after retirement worked with and for Drumhellers Orchards and Bailey Spencer Hardware of Lovingston for enjoyment rather than employment. He is survived by his daughters, Ann J. Hale of Lovingston, Mary Frances Houchens and her husband, Richard of Lovingston; two granddaughters, Sharon H. Smith of Front Royal and Elizabeth H. Bradley of Roseland; two grandsons, Barry N. Hale of Virginia Beach and Richard P. Houchens Jr. of Lovingston; five great-grandchildren; three nephews; and one niece. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church in Lovingston with the Rev. John P. Campbell officiating. Interment will be in the Woodland Memorial Cemetery at Colleen. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and all other times at the family residence. The family suggests that memorials take the form of contributions to the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department, the Nelson County Rescue Squad or the building fund of Calvary Baptist Church. Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, is in charge of arrangements. ****************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ******************************************************************