Southern Spirit November 16, 2015 | Page 4

November 16, 2015 2 When God calls, he removes the obstacles I was born and raised in Puerto Rico in a very fractured home. My mother and father divorced when I was 2. Four children were too many for my mother to handle on her own; I was “gifted” to my grandmother who, together with my aunt, raised me. My childhood was difficult; I always tried to make sense of why I was not wanted by my parents. I continuously sought to fill that void and ache in my heart, but during my early teen years I was filling that void with all the wrong things. One day as I walked through my high school parking lot, I was attracted to a crowd of youth who met every morning to conduct small open-air services before classes started. One day I heard one of the youths preaching about Christ. He said, “If you have tried everything and everything seems to fail, give Christ a chance. You will see how he will turn everything around in your life.” Those words touched me deeply. I approached the group to hear about this Christ this young man was offering. I asked Christ into my heart. I walked away feeling that I was truly loved by Christ. By the age of 19, I was sent as a missionary throughout Central America, where I founded 10 churches. I was now living a life of fullness and true Major Louise Harry mycalling Captain Angel Calderon joy in Christ. A few years later I was married. The Lord blessed me with a beautiful wife and daughters. My wife and I became ministers in 1987 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and seven years later we moved to Florida. I was introduced to the officer of the Naples Corps, Captain Tony Baso. Before I knew it, I was going every Sunday, attending Bible studies and quickly involving myself with all the wonderful outreach ministries. I had never felt so fulfilled in my life. I would wake up each morning with a sense of joy knowing that each day I was working to build God’s kingdom. My whole family was involved and enjoying every minute. My wife and I began to feel the Lord leading us to officership. We prayed intensely for this step. At times I quietly meditated about entering training but would quickly promotedtoglory Major David Johnston Asheville, North Carolina, to Aaron Alzono Johnston and Louise Penley Johnston Clark. He was enrolled as a Junior Soldier at the age of 7. Captain Jim Henry was his first corps officer, but it was Captain and Mrs. William Perry who guided him through his early teenage years. When he was 16, he worked for Captain Jack Waters in Anderson, South Carolina, where he helped start the Boys Club program. While working for the Army in Charleston, South Carolina, he met and married Patricia Miles. David and Patricia later became corps helpers in Florence, Alabama, with Captain and Mrs. B. Gordon Swyers before entering training and being commissioned with the Defenders of the Faith session of 1966. Their first appointment was to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, followed by several other appointments in the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division. Later appointments were to the Arkansas-Oklahoma and North-South Carolina divisions as well as to the Maryland-West Virginia Division, where they served for 20 years. He and Pat retired to Gaffney after 41 years of service. In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by daughters Tammy Johnson (Daniel) Walter and Christy (Brian) Ziegelheafer; brother Larry Johnston; sister Hazel Wright; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Major David Johnston, 74, was promoted to Glory from Gaffney, South Carolina, Oct. 13, 2015. The funeral service was held Oct. 16 at the Blakely Funeral Home in Gaffney. Lt. Colonel Jack T. Waters brought the message and Major Michael Waters officiated. David Johnston was born in Brigadier LaRue Kinley, 103, was promoted to Glory Oct. 13, 2015. She was the oldest living officer Major Louise Harry was promoted to Glory Oct. 9, 2015. Her funeral service was held Oct. 14 at the St. Petersburg, Florida, Citadel Corps. Captain Chris Farrell officiated and brought the message. Louise Champ was born in Princeton, West Virginia, and met The Salvation Army at the age of 14 when she watched a group of Bible school youngsters playing ball. She was converted in 1947 and enrolled as a soldier. In 1950, she married George Harry. They entered training and were commissioned in 1966 with the Defenders of the Faith session. They served together in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, before being appointed to the Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command, serving in Miami, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; San Antonio, Texas; and St. Petersburg and Jacksonville, Florida. Louise is survived by her husband, George, and daughters Rachel and Rebecca. She is predeceased by a son, David. Brigadier LaRue Kinley southernspiritonline in the Southern Territory and second-oldest in the four U.S. territories. The funeral service was held at Atlanta Temple Corps with Captain Ken Argot presiding. Major Dean Hinson brought the message