Sallie T. (Trail) Johnston

Sallie Trail Johnston, 83, from Monument, Colorado, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2023 after her multi-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sallie was born in Bryan, Texas on July 12, 1939 to James Arthur Trail and Ethel Peyton (Andersen) Trail. Sallie graduated from North Dallas H.S., then went on to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.

While attending Texas Tech, Sallie met James M. Johnston III (Jim) and they married after graduation in Dallas, TX on August 27, 1960. Sallie and Jim went on to have three children, Blake, Kendell, and Lance.  Sallie and family set up 29 homes in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, England, North Carolina, Virginia, Utah, California and finally Japan thanks to the US Air Force. Throughout Sallie's travels she established and operated Aunt Sallie's Antiques in Ft. Walton, FL, taught painting and drawing classes, served as an Elementary school teacher and substitute teacher, was an office assistant for a dental office, and as a final fling, taught "English as a second language" while stationed in Japan.

In 1992 Sallie and Jim retired and settled in Monument, CO where she spent time with the Tri-Lakes Women's Club, volunteering for the Air Force Academy Thrift shop, enjoying the various services and activities at The Church at Woodmoor, oil painting, decorating her new “forever home” and playing Mahjong.  Sallie and Jim traveled annually to Cabo San Lucas and introduced many friends to their favorite beach “Home away from Home.”  Sallie and Jim continued to travel, taking 30+ cruises to worldwide destinations.  Sallie also loved to entertain and decorate venues and make everything look beautiful. She had a passion for “glamping” in their various motor homes and travel trailers throughout her adult life, and really enjoyed her mountain house in Dillon, CO once they “retired.”  She was happiest when surrounded by her family and sharing stories and playing games.

Sallie was predeceased by her grandson Ryan Blake Johnston and is survived by her husband Jim, her three children and their spouses Blake (Becky), Kendell (Larry), Lance (Cristy), her six grandchildren and their spouses Brianne (Joey), Kayla (Robert), Hunter, Landry (Luke), Garret, Ainsley, and her great-grandchildren Katie Belle & Owen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Church at Woodmoor in Monument, CO on July 18 at 1:00pm. Flowers are welcome and can be arranged through Enchanted Florist in Monument, CO.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or The Church at Woodmoor in the memory of Sallie Trail Johnston.

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