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Mary Elizabeth (Gaffney) Johnston departed this earthly life on Saturday, July 19, 2008, in her 87th year.

Mary was born on July 8, 1921, to Virgil Edward and Daisy Holloway Gaffney. She grew up in El Dorado where her father worked for the Rock Island Line Railroad and her mother raised she and her brothers, John and George, in the family home on East Elm Street. She attended Henderson State Teacher’s College in Arkadelphia before marrying and beginning a family of her own.

As a young mother she was active in P.T.A., the First Baptist Church, Cub and Brownie Scouts, the El Dorado Service League, Plant and Pick Garden Club, the D.A.R. and was a hospice volunteer.

Later in life Mary became a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and was a doting grandmother to her three grandchildren, Brandon, Catherine, and Gaffney. She developed a strength of spirit and a “Yes You Can” attitude that would serve as an inspiration to many people who needed encouragement in their lives.

Despite her immobility she continued to attend the “Prime Timers” luncheons at First Baptist until the very end and enjoyed the company of her many friends. She was a “people” person.

In her final days she expressed a readiness to join her parents and her brothers, who had preceded her, on that journey to heaven that we all hope to make. She’ll be missed by many, but our loss will be heaven’s gain.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and brothers, John Edward and George P. Gaffney.

Survivors include a son, Jay Johnston of El Dorado; a daughter, Jan J. White and her husband, Goodwin, of Camden; grandchildren, Brandon Byrd and Catherine Byrd of El Dorado, and Gaffney Johnston (U.S.M.C.) of Camp Pendleton, Calif. and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, at Young’s Funeral Directors. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 512 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, AR; Union County Animal Protection Society, 1000 Sunset Road, El Dorado, AR 71730; or First Baptist Church 200 W. Main St., El Dorado, AR 71730.

An online guest registry is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.