Barbara Johnson Edmiston

Barbara Johnson Edmiston of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully on July 14, 2023, at the age of 90. She was born in Merkel, Texas on February 4, 1933, and married her first husband, Bo Johnson, in 1950. They had two daughters and almost 40 years together until his death in 1989. She was married to her second husband, Roy Edmiston, from 1992 until his death in 2007. Over her life she worked primarily as a nurse, but also sometimes as a signmaker, newspaper editor, and radio station operator.

Everyone who met Barbara loved her for her kindness and humor. In her words, she had “served the Lord of heaven and earth at Bannockburn Church since 1984.” She volunteered extensively at the church, mostly in ways that help people who are hurting, including its prison ministry, benevolence committee, and food pantry. She was a faithful member of her Sunday School class, choir, and the prayer chapel. She was a true conduit for the joy of the spirit!

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Bo Johnson, daughters Bekki Johnson and Debbie Milam, husband Roy Edmiston, and many siblings, relatives, and friends. She is survived by her grandson Jason Milam and wife Jana, granddaughter Brittni Milam and husband Ryan, grandson Nick Pond, sons-in-law Jim Milam and Bob Pond, step-daughter Kim Henry, great-grandchildren Natasha, Gracie, Ellie, Garrett, and Sophie, and many nieces and nephews, including Phyllis Thomas, Leann Johnson and Scott Adair.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Barbara’s love of rainbows and butterflies by wearing bold and bright colors to the events celebrating her life on Friday, July 21, 2023:

The visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with a funeral service to follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. The funeral service is available via live stream at the link below. A reception is to follow the funeral service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the Bannockburn Baptist Church Abbington Center (third floor), 7100 Brodie Ln, Austin, Texas 78745.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Edmiston family. Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Central Texas Food Bank.