Thomas Earl Johnston

Thomas Earl “Pete” Johnston, 88, of Smithdale, passed away on March 11, 2026 at his residence.

Born on June 16, 1937 to Henry Rawls Johnston and Luessie Carraway Johnston, Pete graduated from Mars Hill High School in 1956. He attended Southwest Junior College on a basketball scholarship and was a longtime member of Adams United Methodist Church. After working at Shell Oil Company for more than twelve years, he returned home to run the family cattle and poultry farm. He took great pride in his land, especially tending his rose garden alongside his wife, Mary. An avid coon hunter and dedicated Ole Miss football fan, Pete also cherished quiet moments on the porch watching the birds. Above all, he treasured the time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Homer and Helen Pope; six siblings, Louise Brumfield (Gene), Mattie Lee Newman (Hilton), Betty Sue Smith, Nevelyn Allred (Purvis), Harold Johnston (Anna), and Clayton Johnston; one sister-in-law, Opal Johnston; one brother-in-law, C.M. Hux; one niece, Susan Smith; and three nephews, Harry Brumfield, Stephen Johnston, and Thomas Brent Johnston.

Pete is survived by his wife of 65 loving years, Mary Pope Johnston; daughters Donna Smith (Dean), Carolynn Smith (Mike), and Deena Johnston; seven grandchildren, Tyler Smith (Nikki), Ashton Thornton (Mitchell), Austin Smith (Victoria), Peyton Smith, Sam Smith, Kelsey Strahan (Josh), and Mary Claire Freeman; seven great-grandchildren, Jaxon Montague, Hagen Smith, Lawson Smith, Charlotte Smith, Tucker Thornton, Archer Thornton, Miller Thornton, and Kinley Strahan on the way; three brothers, Robert Johnston, Guy Johnston, and Douglas Johnston; two sisters, Etta Merle Hux and Lexine Deer (Jimmy); brother-in-law Joe David Pope (Nancy); sister-in-law Tot Johnston; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.