Jefferson-NANCY COOPER KENNICKELL JOHNSTON died early Sunday morning, December 5, 2010, at Ashe Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family, loved ones, caregivers and Pastor, Reverend Keith Franklin. Nancy was born on April 13, 1924 in Tarboro, North Carolina, one of three children of Herman M. and Virginia W. Kennickell. Nancy was a graduate of Fairview High School, attended Mars Hill College for two years and received her degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nancy began her journalism career at the Skyland Post working for her Aunt, the late Mrs. Stella Anderson. While working there, Pete Eller brought Thomas Johnston in to meet Nancy announcing, "I would like to introduce you to the woman you will marry," which he had the good sense to do, at Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, North Carolina, on August 21, 1948. Tom and Nancy would have been married 62 years, had they both not passed this year, but their children and loved ones and friends can take solace in the fact that Tom and Nancy will not have missed a Christmas together since their marriage and this year will be no exception. Nancy's achievements in life are so remarkable and her life itself a miracle, that there is no easy way to describe them here. Nancy grew up like many, without financial means, but with a heart and personality that would take her everywhere. This did not go unnoticed, when a lady from the community took a liking to this precious little girl and decided to leave Nancy something in her will. The gift she received was enough money for Nancy to attend college and enough to buy her parents a home, the only home they ever owned in their lifetime. Nancy was the little sister to Mac Kennickell and the older sister to Dini Kennickell (Heckel). Tragically, Dini died from a heart ailment after giving birth to her son, Ken. From this tragic event, Nancy began her work with the Heart Association, and through her efforts, the heart condition that took the life of her younger sister at such a young age, was conquered. In 1963, Nancy almost passed when she had an inoperable aneurysm in her brain. Jeff was 12, Mark 10 and John 5 when the ambulance came by the house for Nancy to say good-by to her kids. But God had a different plan for Nancy. Through God's work, Nancy's aneurysm healed. Nancy had much more "good to do." She worked tirelessly for the Heart Association for in excess of 55 years and received the following awards- Outstanding Volunteer, American Heart Association A.P. Hammer Award, Quilt and Torch Award, at least three times, Life Membership Award, Good Egg Award and the North Carolina Silver Medallion Award, to list a few. Nancy served in many capacities including but not limited to the following: Charter Member of the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, United Methodist Women, sang in the choir and served on every Church committee, Ashe County Homemakers Club, Life member of Chapel Hill Alumni and many more too numerous to mention. While many will remember Nancy for her work as a writer for the Skyland Post, she also worked for the late Dale Shepherd as an assistant in the pharmacy at Jefferson Drug Store for many years in addition to her volunteer work. Some will remember Nancy for her efforts in her fight for cleaner bathrooms at Jefferson Elementary School and her fundraising efforts to get uniforms for the 1967-1968 Ashe Central High School Football team. Others will remember Nancy for her beauty, having been known as "Fairview's Fairest View," and having been voted Miss Yackety Yack as the most beautiful and popular gal at UNC. But most of all she will be remembered for the beauty that lied within, that touched the heart of everyone she knew and loved, especially her husband Tom. The family gives special thanks to her personal caregivers, Cindy Walker, Peggy Jones, Pat Taylor, Sarah Combs, Suzi Forrester, Sherrie Saunders, Devon Little, Tammy Testerman and Melissa Zamora; Dr.'s Campbell, Kurtz, Bradley, Leonard, Ingledue, Wonsick and Darter and all the nurses, aides, respiratory therapists and our family's personal angel, Daisy June Worth, who has been there for our family through every crisis, as well as our Pastor, Reverend Keith Franklin. Nancy is survived by her three sons, Jeffrey Allen Johnston and wife, Susan Sloan, of Clemmons, North Carolina, Thomas Mark Johnston and wife, Dianne Wyatt, of Jefferson, and John Cooper Johnston and wife, Rachel King, of Jefferson, Anna, Sarah and Claira Corley; a grandson, Thomas Fredrick Johnston, and special friend, Margaret Ponce; and one great grandson, Samuel Thomas Johnston. The family will receive family and friends from 6-8pm on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at Boone Family Funeral Home, and a memorial service will be held at Jefferson United Methodist Church on Thursday at 2pm, December 9, 2010. Interment at Ashelawn Cemetery will immediately follow the memorial service to be performed by Reverend Keith Franklin. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Ashe County Heart Association, C/o June Weaver, PO Box 791, Jefferson, NC 28640 or Jefferson United Methodist Church Discretionary Fund, P.O. Box 236, Jefferson, N.C. 28640 or the local charity of your choice.