Molly Ann Johnson Smith died in Houston, TX on February 7, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents James William Johnson and Helen Adele Murray Johnson and is survived by her husband Mark Andrew Smith; daughter Allyson Paige with husband Chad Schulz and grandchildren June, Wren and Kase; and daughter Madyson Leigh with husband Dalton Flint and granddaughter Valerie; sister Shelley Lou with her husband Scott Verrei; brother James W. Johnson, Jr. with wife Marjorie; nieces and nephews Jamie Verrei Williams and husband Justin, Jenna Verrei Sands and husband Dylan, Kevin Johnson and wife Ashley, Kurt Johnson and wife Melissa; seven great nieces and nephews, Emily, Avery, Abigail, James, Garrett, Harper, and Kylie; and father-in-law's wife, Cathy Smith, and her family. 

Molly was born April 3, 1953 in Beaumont, TX and moved in 1964 to Berwyn, PA outside of Philadelphia and graduated from Conestoga High School (1971), went to Duke on a National Merit Scholarship for a degree in political science (1975), and earned her JD (1979) at SMU in Dallas for admission to the Texas State Bar. While at Duke, Molly was in the Kapa Alpha Theta sorority and was active Phi Alpha Delta in law school orienting and mentoring new students. As a lawyer, Molly provided help in civil law matters to underserved communities through the Legal Services Foundation in Wichita Falls, TX and then in Dallas where she later moved to oil and gas title work for ARCO companies (Dallas) and, after moving to Houston, contracts more broadly with Seagull Energy Company.

Molly loved sports, playing basketball, field hockey and Lacrosse in Conestoga High School and as an enthusiastic fan for Duke basketball and, after both daughters graduated, for Texas A&M football. She also loved to travel and many mused whether she missed her calling and should have been a professional travel agent. But most importantly, Molly was a devoted wife and mother.

It was after returning to Dallas with the Legal Services Foundation that Molly reconnected with Mark who she had met in law school. They married in 1983, moving to Houston the following year where they raised their daughters. Molly’s support to Allyson and Madyson in education and community involvement took many forms, including involvement with the PTA (life member), First Junior Woman’s Club of Houston, and Aggie Mom’s Club of Houston. And in making a home for her family, her love for her family shone daily in the gifted cooking she prepared.

In later years, Molly encountered and persevered over numerous serious health challenges and was rather a miracle three times over. However, this time she passed in her sleep after a brief illness.

A memorial service for Molly will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Episcopal Church, located at 345 Piney Point Road Houston, TX 77024. A reception with light refreshments will follow. 

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