Laura Robbins Johnston

Laura attended Lenoir High School and played the bass clarinet in Captain James Harper’s Lenoir High School Band. She later attended North Carolina State University where she met her husband, Russ, and also played in the symphonic band. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1969. Laura and Russ married in 1968 and lived in Maryland before returning to Raleigh in 1977. Laura worked as a lighting contractor at Lighting Inc. for 25 years and retired in 2010.

Laura was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh where she served as a Deacon, The Women’s Club of Raleigh (having been a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh as well), and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved being in her Church Circle, her garden club, and her Bible Study. Wherever she went, she made a difference in what she did. She never knew a stranger and was always welcoming to all that she met.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Russell (Russ) Johnston, Jr. of Wake Forest; two daughters, Elisabeth J. Dowse of Florence, SC and husband Lee and Christina J. Henderson and husband Patrick of Raleigh; four grandchildren Stephen and Zoe Dowse and Erin and Elisabeth Henderson; and two brothers, George C. Robbins Jr. and wife Carolyn of Gastonia, and William W. Robbins and wife Valerie of Durham.

The memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 30, 2017 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 112 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.