Lorette Johnston

Mrs. Lorette Johnston, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 12, 2022. She went to be with her Lord at the age of 89, just two months shy of her 90^th birthday.

Lorette was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, on May 9, 1932. She grew up a farm girl, where she helped with the daily chores and made pets of all the animals. One favorite chore was calling in the pigs from the pastures; she had a talent for it. They loved her and would come running in at the sound of her voice. This earned her the nickname “Pig” from her brothers, which she took as an honor and cherished ever since, commemorating the name in the form of pig figurines, stuffed animals, and pictures all over her house. Lorette loved school and was a graduate of DeQuincy high school. She had plans to attend a business college and worked at a local pharmacy. There she met the love of her life, Ralph Johnston, who frequented the pharmacy soda counter while working as a geologist in the oil fields. Lorette and Ralph were happily married until his death in 1999. They planted their roots in Mansfield, Texas, where Lorette was a loving wife, a caring mother, and a devout Christian all the days of her life.

Lorette was a homemaker and helped in every capacity in her church. She volunteered in many school events, wherever her girls were involved. She was an accomplished seamstress, making many of her own clothes, her children’s clothing, and even a prom dress or two. Lorette’s gift of hospitality was most evident as she worked beside Ralph in their leadership years at Mansfield Church of Christ. Her home was open to visiting preachers and missionaries, church events, showers, family gatherings, and neighborhood socials. Lorette always felt it was important to share a cup of coffee and a treat along with some Biblical wisdom with whomever came to see her. She even offered half of her cookie with company on her last day on earth. Because of her faith in Christ, her family has every confidence she has been received into His arms.

Lorette was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Ralph T. Johnston; parents Emma and Lonnie Smith; her 4 brothers Turman Smith, Herman Smith, Jessie Smith, and Lonnie Smith Jr.; 6 sisters Mary Brown, Vernice Marcantel, Irene Jones, Lela Clements, Lorena Ferguson, and Betty Clark; great-granddaughter Madison Ann Bowen; and her many friends.

Loved ones left behind to cherish her in memory include her 2 daughters and sons-in-law Rebecca and Blair Leftwich, and Denise and Mike Dunlap; 6 grandchildren: Matt Dunlap, Chad Leftwich, Jason (Jennifer) Dunlap, Christy (Rodney) Bowen, Ashley (Kasey) King, and Chase (Breck) Leftwich; 16 greatgrandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Kent Bolding; sister-in-law Mary Ann Johnston; sister-in-law Billye Johnston; and a host of nieces, nephew, and friends.

Her gravesite memorial service and burial will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Holly Hills Memorial Park in Granbury, Texas, under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury, Texas. Word of comfort may be shared with the family at www.wileyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lorette’s name at https://dallas-ftworth.safe-families.org.