Rosa Lou Soles Johnston, 85, of Kilmarnock, Va., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in her home surrounded by loving family after a brief illness.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Lumpkin Soles, and her husband of 53 years, Mandley Ray Johnston. 

She was born in Mathews County, Va., on Dec. 9, 1929. She grew up in Cobbs Creek, Va., and graduated from Mathews High School in 1946. Rosa Lou then received a B.A. from Westhampton University in Richmond in 1950. She married Mandley Ray Johnston on Nov. 22, 1952. Together they raised their family of five children in Kilmarnock.

She worked for many years as a realtor in the Northern Neck, and volunteered her time in retirement to serving others. She served as a Docent at Christ Church, a volunteer at the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, and was an Elder and active member of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who particularly delighted in all of her grandchildren’s activities. Her many kindnesses will be remembered by all who knew her.  

She is survived by her brother, Earl Soles of Middlesex County, and her five children and their spouses, Karen McMillan (Ben) of Lilburn, Ga., Joni Carter (Bernard) of Irvington, Cindy Valk (Tom) of Marshall, Va., Mandley Ray Johnston Jr. (Vicki) of Midlothian, Va., Chris Johnston (Kate) of Seattle, Wash.; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

 A memorial service will be held at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3712 Weems Road, P.O. Box 18, Weems, Va. 22576.