Kelly Diane “Sunshine” Johnston, 41, of St. Louis died July 7, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Ms. Johnston graduated in 2003 from Hillsboro High School, where she played soccer and volleyball and participated in cheerleading, choir and theater productions. She went on to attend Montgomery College in Conroe, Texas, and later the University of Missouri in Columbia. As a child, she was known for her vibrant attitude, dazzling smile and radiant personality, which earned her the nickname “Sunshine” by her mother. Strong in her Christian faith throughout her life, she was a member of Faith Church in Sunset Hills. Born Aug. 28, 1984, she was the daughter of Mona R. (Childers) Johnston and Steven P. Johnston.
She is survived by her two sisters: K. Danae (Christopher) Robertson and Denise (Brennon) Hoyt; her nephews and a niece who called her “Tia Kelly”: Wyatt Dalton, Maddox, Gabriel and Dorian Yim, Christopher D.L. Robertson, Cedric and Kimber Hoyt.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents: M.D. and N. Evabelle (Wooderson) Childers; a brother: David J. Johnston; a half-sister: Abby J. (Johnston) Dalton; an uncle: Tony L. Childers; and a cousin: Dallas L. Childers.
Visitation is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at New Beginnings Baptist Church, 5 Ridgewood Drive, Hillsboro. A celebration of life service will follow for family and close friends. Memorials may be made to the family to assist with final arrangement costs at gofund.me/8ec9b5424. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary-Robert Brown Chapel in Hillsboro.