Mary Kirkwood Johnson

Mary Louise Kirkwood Johnson went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully on Friday morning, February 6, 2026. She was born on September 4, 1930, in Floral Park, New York, to Benjamin and Mary Kirkwood.

After completing nursing school, Mary became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and practiced in New York for several years. She later met Bill Johnson, and in 1960, they were married in New York, and Mary moved to Houston, Texas, where they raised their four children. Mary continued her nursing career in Houston for more than 30 years. She spent over 27 of those years at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Labor and Delivery, where she assisted in the birth of thousands of babies.

Bill and Mary were active members at Willow Meadows Baptist Church while their children were growing up. They later joined and were active at Westbury Baptist Church in Houston. Mary had a creative spirit and found great joy in sewing, ceramics, and crafting dolls. She was a faithful friend to many and dedicated to the prison ministry through Bill’s involvement. Above all, Mary was best known as a devoted mother and grandmother—affectionately called “Nana.” She lived a life marked by self-sacrifice, kindness, calmness, and deep love for her family. Her family and all who knew her well consider her a saint and are thankful to the Lord for her life and example.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her younger brother, Wilson Kirkwood; and her loving husband of 45 years, Bill Johnson. Mary faithfully cared for Bill when he was diagnosed and passed away with cancer in 2006.

Mary is survived by her four children: Laura Smith and her husband, Bobby, of Nacogdoches; Karen Stone and her husband, Rusty, of Palestine; Kirk Johnson of Houston; and Scott Johnson and his wife, Julie, of Cupertino, California. She is also survived by eight grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Joshua Smith, Evan Smith, Ashley McCallon, Hannah Johnson, Macy Sheeley, Katie Stone, Alia Johnson, and Carina Johnson; as well as six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service for Mary Johnson will be held at Southside Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Smith, Evan Smith, Justin McCallon, Lucas Sheeley, and Dimmitt Perkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Station in Palestine, Texas, or to Grace4Going to support missions in Nacogdoches, Texas. The family would also like to express our appreciation to TruCare Living Centers and Heart to Heart Hospice in Palestine, Texas, for their care and support of Mary.