Lorraine Johnston

On July 25th, 1946 Chester D. and Sybil O. Ritchie were blessed with a baby girl named Lena (Lorraine) Johnston in McComb, Mississippi. Lorraine grew up in Summit, Mississippi and later Pasadena, Texas. She spent some of her early adult life in Louisiana and later in Texas where she lived out the entirety of her long life.

Lorraine (78) passed peacefully at home on Saturday June 7th, 2025 surrounded by her close family, friends, and with a few very special people, who became family and who were her caregivers and Hospice nurse.

Lorraine was married at 15 years old and had 2 children, later remarrying and having 4 more. She was married to her husband Calvin (Glenn) Johnston for 53 years and he was the love of her life. She always said her biggest accomplishment in this life was her faith and her family. Early on while in her 20's and caring for her family, she went on to attend college and graduated from Sam Houston University receiving her degree and becoming a school teacher. She taught high school students at a private Christian academy where her two older children also attended.

Later in life she helped her husband start a very successful business named Arok Construction, homeschooled her children and opened a restaurant named Kat's in Gladewater, Tx where she shared with others her love of cooking and her amazing southern recipes/dishes, one being her famous chicken and dumplings. Lorraine was quick witted, loving, talked with her hands and was sarcastic with a dry sense of humor. She taught Sunday school, her favorite book of the bible was Joshua, loved to read, scrapbook, crochet, quilt, work in her garden, play card games, 3 wheeler ride, camp, and loved spending time with her large family. She was an avid church goer and spent a lot of time witnessing to others on how her Christian faith/walk shaped her life. When her daughter Kathryn started having children, 3 boys, including twins, she moved in with her daughter to help and was a strong support and beautiful blessing to their family.

She was blessed with 6 children: daughter Kristy Michelle Johnston, daughter Kathryn J. Wilson & husband Jarrod, daughter Kelly Mullins, son William (Bill) Mullins, Tammy Mullins, daughter Brandy Cobia/ husband Jeff, and son Joshua G Johnston, Amanda Parge. Plus, one bonus child Amy/husband Kenny, who was also her caregiver and at her side until she passed. Lorraine had 10 grandchildren: lan Wilson & Kaleb Wilson, Tucker Wilson/wife Ashley, Alayna Johnston & Gage Johnston, BJ Mullins/wife Ashley, Aaron Mullins, Krystal Stevens/husband Joseph (Joey), Justin Mullins/wife Hayley, Amanda Mullins, Eric Godfrey, John Auld and was proudly promoted to great grandmother of 17 and the great great grandmother of 3.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents Chester D. Ritchie Sr. & Sybil T. Ritchie, daughter Kristy M. Johnston, son William (Bill) Mullins, brother Chester D. Ritchie Jr., sister Renae Graves and great grandson Elijah Auld. She is survived by her husband Calvin (Glenn) Johnston.

The family would like to thank UniCare Hospice, Hospice nurse Amanda Knowles & attendant La Tonya. Elara Caring Home Health and care giver Amy F. for the loving care and support.

Services will be held at the Church of the Nazarene in Gladewater, TX at 1:00pm on June 25th, 2025 with graveside service immediately following ant Gladewater Memorial Park in Gladewater, TX.