On January 11, 2016, the Lord lifted Emma Ison Johnson out of the prison that her frail body had become and carried her into that home He had gone to prepare for her so long ago. Her faith finally erupted into that eternal reality that Jesus promised. Emma was born on January 16, 1924, in Portsmouth, OH, the daughter of Norman and Maggie Ison. She made her way to Crewe, VA in the mid-1940s, and has been a resident of the area since then. Her marriage to Bluegrass music personality and WSVS radio icon, Jody Rainwater, made her a widely known local celebrity. Emma and Jody served the community and the Lord together for decades, speaking, singing, teaching, and living out the faith they both embraced. Emma was preceded in death by her son, Rev. Bob Gallagher and his wife, Carolyn, and five brothers. On Christmas Eve of 2011, her beloved Jody preceded her, and she longed for the reunion they're all celebrating now. Emma is survived by her sister, Edna Clements; son Ron, and wife Diane Gallagher; daughter, Charlie Rainwater, and husband, Billy Budd; eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and a host of treasured nieces and nephews. A family and friends visitation night will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Jennings McMillian Funeral Home, 200 W. Carolina Avenue, Crewe, VA. The funeral service will take place on Friday at 2:00 pm at Jennings McMillian Funeral Home, and interment will be at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice, VA. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Virginia.