THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Monday, August 22, 2011

A Funeral (Hymn) Service for Ria McIntosh Allen Johnston, 98, of Bunnell, will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2011, 10:30 AM in the chapel of Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Rd. South, Flagler Beach. Friends may visit on Thursday from 9:30AM until time of the service. Interment is to follow the service at the Espanola Cemetery.

Ria passed away on August 20, 2011 peacefully at her home with her daughter by her side. She was born on May 9, 1913 to her late parents, George Elliott and Nell Louise Allen (McIntosh).

Ria was a member of one of the first pioneering families of Flagler County which owned much of the county at that time. She always kept interest in the family farming, cattle and timber businesses. She also was one of the original professional ice skaters with the Ice Capades. One of her greatest achievements while being part of Ice Capades was when they earned the funds through war bond sales to buy a B-24 Bomber during the World War II. She attended Florida State College for Women now known as Florida State University. After college her interest in young children led her to start the first preschool in Flagler County. She left Ice Capades to return to her home town and marry the late AB Johnston.

She was very active in the school system while her children attended. She also served on the Flagler County School Board. She taught Sunday school at First Methodist Church in Bunnell across the street from her childhood home. She also served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Ria was a generous woman who supported her local community, veteran's causes and the Salvation Army. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Bunnell, United Daughters of Confederacy. Ria enjoyed tending to her garden and traveling. She derived great pleasure from watching Florida State University Football games and handing out Halloween candy to the hundreds of children who came by her home every year. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband A.B. Johnston in 1974.

Survivors include her sons, Albert Jr. and his wife Suzanne Johnston of Bunnell; John Johnston of Bunnell; daughter, Nell and her husband Jim Brown of Bunnell; grandchildren, James, Bart, Suzie, Lyn, Joy; great-grandchildren, Taira, Matt, Addison, Albert IV, Sydney; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services are under the care and trust of Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home.