Martin Luther Johnson

Mr. Martin Luther Johnson, 73, of Pittsville, VA, formerly of Monrovia and Boyds went to meet his Lord on Friday, December 18, 2009, at Liberty Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg, VA . He was the devoted husband for 51 years to Emma Lee Sexton Johnson.

Born on June 9, 1936, in Montgomery County he was the son of the late Luther Stewart and Grace Lillian Pugh Johnson. Martin spent his formative years in Boyds and was active in the community during the 1950's.

He was especially interested in the Sunday School Programs at Boyds Presbyterian Church, (where he met Emma) and in creating the Boyds Boys Club.

He was a 1954 graduate of Gaithersburg High School where he was a track star. Mr Johnson then went on to have an excellent career at the NIH Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. During that time he pursued significant coursework in critical biomedical research areas and co-authored numerous published scientific articles and studies.

During their 28 years in Monrovia, Martin and Emma were very active with local church work, raising two fine sons, and still finding time for vacations and fishing trips. It was his love of fishing which led to his retirement in the 1990's and move to the Leesville Lake/ Smith Mountain Lake area of southern Virginia. He was a lifelong and avid Washington Redskin fan.

Surviving in addition to his wife are 2 sons: Daniel Ray Johnson and wife Sharon of Mt. Airy and Steven Edward Johnson of Gretna, VA; 2 grandchildren: Lillian Grace Johnson and Michael Ray Johnson; 2 sisters: Doris Elaine Harner and husband Harry and Linda Jane Zitta and husband Keith; a brother, Thomas Gilbert Johnson. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Margaret King. He will also be remembered by sister-in-laws: Mary Ruth Payne and husband Jack, and Nan Howard; brother-in-law Glen Sexton and wife Linda; and mother-in-law Sadie Musser, as well as many other family and friends.

Visitation: See above information

Services: The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM on Tuesday, December 22, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick and from 1:30-2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 23, where services will begin at 2:00 PM with Rev. John Schuch officiating.

Interment will take place in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.