Esther Gosnell Johnson, age 96, of Asheboro, N.C., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation of Asheboro.Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Pugh Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with the Rev. Fran Moran officiating. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park.Mrs. Johnson was a native of Greenville County, S.C., and was retired from Burlington Mills. She was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, O.R. Johnson; and four stepchildren.Surviving are nieces, Pauline Ivester, of Archdale, N.C., Edna Bunting, of Asheboro, N.C., and Naomi Perry, of Piedmont, S.C.; several stepgrandchildren; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.The family will receive friends today from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro.Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 4994, Asheboro, NC 27204.