Mary Sue Johnston, age 87, of Lebanon, Tennessee, passed peacefully on January 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and the beautiful legacy she built throughout her life.
Born on September 18, 1938, Mary Sue lived a life marked by strength, grace, and quiet determination. She spent her career working in the jewelry industry, a fitting reflection of her own nature – steady, refined, and full of sparkle. She carried herself with class and dignity, always strong, always dependable, and always someone others could lean on.
Home was her heart. Mary Sue found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments – cooking meals for the people she loved, mowing her grass with pride, and tending to her flowers. Her yard was more than a garden; it was a reflection of her care and devotion, always beautiful, always welcoming. If you drove by and saw blooms thriving, you knew she had been hard at work.
Above all, she cherished her family. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Pam Hughes; her grandchildren, Kelsi Hughes, Wyatt & Sarah Hughes; and her great-grandchildren, Wade and Bo Hughes, who brought her endless pride and joy. Her love for them was steady and unconditional – the kind that lasts far beyond a lifetime.
She will be remembered as strong, classy, hardworking, and deeply loving. Her legacy lives on in the hands she held, the lessons she taught, and the flowers that will continue to bloom each spring as a gentle reminder of her care.
Mary Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary Johnston; her mother, Mary Lillian McIntyre; and her father, Rice Hughes. We find comfort in knowing they are reunited again.
Though she will be greatly missed, her family finds comfort knowing her life was full, her love was deep, and her memory will forever be cherished.
Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
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This obituary was published by Sellars Funeral Home – Lebanon.
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