Mary Ann Brown Johnston

Mary Ann Brown Johnston, 92, of Mansfield, Texas passed away January 26, 2023 after an extended battle with vascular dementia. She was born at All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas on November 17, 1930 to Edna Sarah Wright Brown and Robert Starlin Brown. Mary Ann was raised by her parents in Mansfield. She was the only child of Edna and Starlin and was a faithful and devoted caregiver to both of her parents.

Mary Ann graduated from Mansfield High School in 1947. She married Billy Joe Johnston on July 28, 1951. They were married for 63 years before Bill’s passing in 2014. They had a long and happy marriage together enduring the difficult times and enjoying the good times. There was never a stray or hungry animal that did not find a great and loving home with Bill and Mary Ann. The Keller Boys thought that Bill and Mary Ann were the very best G Dad and G Mom ever.

Mary Ann was a dedicated businesswoman holding numerous jobs during her career but most notably employed by the City of Mansfield. She was promoted to City Secretary in December 1965 and served the City in that capacity until November 1975.

Mary Ann’s next endeavor with the City of Mansfield was perhaps the one she enjoyed the most. She was elected to the Mansfield City Council in 1988 and served on the Council until 2007. She served a term as Mayor Pro-Tem and was also on the City’s Public Library Advisory Board. She wanted everyone to have a chance to read, learn and enjoy the public library. She wanted everyone in every part of the town to be treated fairly. Mary Ann was honored to be a member of the prestigious Wall of Honor at City Hall. Mansfield was her home and she really cared about the city and its citizens. Mary Ann had a wealth of knowledge regarding Mansfield’s history and could recall names and places like no other.

She is survived by her son Randy Johnston, who like his mother was the faithful and devoted caretaker of both of his parents. Mary Ann is also survived by her daughter Joy Keller and husband Don, her grandson Kirk Keller and wife Caitlyn, her grandson Kolby Keller and wife Mary Elise. She is also survived by five great grandchildren namely Kason Keller, Kooper Keller, Kyler Keller, Beau Keller and Anna Grace Keller. In addition, she has one surviving sister-in-law Shirley Bolding and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

A special thanks from Randy and Joy to Molly, Victoria, Tammie, Tanya and Rae Dean for their tireless help and dedication to Mary Ann during the past few months and years of her illness. You all have truly become our extended family. The staff at Midlothian Healthcare and Bristol Hospice were also outstanding during a very difficult time. We will always be grateful.

The family has entrusted services to Blessing Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on February 2, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Blessing Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Blessing Funeral Home on February 3, 2023 at 11:00 am with burial immediately following at the Mansfield Cemetery.