Sally Rae Johnston nee Hockett (Formerly Sally Rae Whitsitt), 87, died in Knoxville, TN on January 4, 2026, surrounded by her surviving children. Sally was born to Muriel and Wayne Hockett on October 4, 1938, in Yakima, Washington. She was the second of five children and grew up in Yakima and Montesano, Washington. Sally was predeceased by her parents, her older sister, Carole Ann Wilson, brother-in-law, Herschel Wilson, and two of her brothers, Bob Hockett and Jerry Hockett, as well as sister-in-law, Miyoko Hockett. Sally was married May 4, 1956 to Paul A. Whitsitt of Port Huron, Michigan, who also predeceased her. Sally and Paul had four children. One child, Shelly Lynn Whitsitt Kellogg predeceased Sally. Sally married her second husband, Hugh Johnston of Sarnia, Ontario, on 12/29/98. He also predeceased her. Sally lived in Port Huron Michigan for approximately 36 years and regularly participated in activities at the American Legion and Moose Lodge, as well as enjoying boating in and around Port Huron. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Port Huron and St. Paul UMC in Knoxville. After the death of her second husband, Sally relocated to Knoxville, TN to be close to her daughter, Sharon Whitsitt McCain. There she worked in Sharon’s alterations business for more than 12 years. Sally was an accomplished seamstress. Sally’s greatest pride and joy was having four children and she was thrilled to have eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Sally is survived by her youngest brother, William Thomas Hockett (Cherill), her remaining three children, Susan K. W. Erlenbach (Kurt), Sharon Lee McCain (Tony), and Steven Paul Whitsitt (Rita) as well as her honorary daughter, Joanie Driggers Olmstead, and eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, step daughters, Tina Duncan and April Johnston, of Sarnia, as well as their children and grandchildren, which Sally claimed as her own. A memorial service will take place at a future date in Port Huron, Michigan.