Terry C. Johnston

Terry Charles Johnston, age 88, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Mr. Johnston was born on December 21, 1937 in Woodville, Alabama to Charles L. Johnston and Mary Bonner Johnston. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his time in Germany. Then, for over 21 years, he was employed by the city of Birmingham as a police officer. During these years, he worked many extra police jobs as a security guard at the Birmingham airport and Century Plaza mall to name a few, while also coordinating a motorcycle police escort service for local funerals. After retirement, Terry continued to work part-time in many security guard jobs as well as courier services for several banks. He also delivered flower arrangements for Dorothy McDaniel’s flower market. Terry never met a stranger and had a knack for storytelling, a boisterous laugh, a fondness of music, especially barbershop vocal harmony, a passion for watching Alabama football, and a deep affection and appreciation of classic cars, which he enjoyed collecting and going to car shows and museums.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Johnston; his wife of over 30 years, Burnetta Kay (Ross) Johnston; his sister, Ann Marion (Johnston) Holsten; his brother, David B. Johnston; his son, Charles H. Johnston; his granddaughter, Natalie Anne Sullivan; and his grandson, Terry William Johnston. He is survived by his brother, Samuel W. Johnston (Gail); his sister-in-law Patricia Nabors Johnston; his sons, Stephen W. Johnston (Laura), William E. Johnston (Brenda), and Brian C. Johnston; his daughters, Leslie F. Johnston, Shelley L. (Johnston) Sullivan (Sean), and Buffy Rowlan; his step-daughter, Sondra Gail (Long) Silvani (Al); and his grandchildren, Savannah L. Sullivan, Kristina S. Sullivan, and Julia F. Johnston. He is also survived by many extended family members including nieces, a nephew, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff members of Regency Retirement Village, The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek, and SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice for their care of Mr. Johnston during his last years.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel with a graveside service following at 12:00pm.

Terry will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211-2835.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family would appreciate donations to St. Jude Children’s Research hospital in Memphis, TN. Mr. Johnston gave monthly donations to St. Jude for many years.