Dr. Bennie M. Johnston

Dr. Bennie McBane Johnston

Dr. Bennie McBane Johnston,  86,  of Graham,  passed away Saturday,  September 7,  2019 at his home.  A native of Graham,  Ben was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School.  He attended UNC Chapel Hill  where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Chemistry.  He then graduated from UNC Chapel Hill Dental School class of 1958.  He returned to Graham,  the town and people who nurtured him,  to begin his dental practice.  In the early years of his practice,  he also taught part time at UNC Chapel Hill Dental School,  and continued his dental practice in Graham for 40 years.

Ben was an avid sports fan all of his life playing many sports himself,  but especially a fan and supporter of UNC basketball,  football and baseball.  He also served his community as a member of the Jaycees.  He was a supporter of ARC of Alamance County and was instrumental in founding Ralph Scott Lifeservices.  He excelled in service as a lifelong member of Graham Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir and served as both a deacon and elder.  He was most vested  as a Sunday school teacher,   teaching for over 60 years. Ben received the Zoulean-Anderson Presbyterian award for excellence in teaching scripture,  after being nominated by his beloved Covenant Bible Class in 1989.  Even in retirement he continued to serve people of the area by delivering Meals on Wheels and being a walker and top fundraiser for the annual Crop Walk for hunger.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents,  Donna McBane and James G.  Johnston and a brother,  James Samuel Johnston,  all of Graham,  and a son,  Mark G. Johnston,  of Mebane.  Surviving family members include his wife,  Rebekah Miles Johnston of Graham;  son, Miles M. Johnston and wife Kelly,  granddaughters,  McNeil and Noelle,  of Graham;  a daughter,  Benanne Johnston Stiens and husband Jerry, of Smyrna, NC and grandson 2nd Lt. Carson Stiens  of Fort Bragg, NC;  a sister,  Sarah Graham Johnston of Graham and many close nieces and nephews that were like sons and daughters.

There will be a private burial at Linwood Cemetery in Graham.  A worship service in celebration of his life in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be held at Graham Presbyterian Church on Tuesday,  September 10,  at 4:00 p.m.   Visitation will be held by the family in the church parlor between 2:30 and 3:45 p.m.,  prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

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