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Our 
Promise

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We guarantee our prices, and the quality of service provided.

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We will embalm to your standards and special requests.

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Notify us of your preferences, and we will use the same products that are used at your firm.

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We will make sure the deceased are handled respectfully at all times.

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Our experienced personnel will always represent your firm with integrity by providing quality service to your families.

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Michelle Johnston

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She was raised in Athens, Texas and is proud to call East Texas her home. She graduated from Cayuga High School in 2011. Michelle Johnston has been licensed as a funeral director and embalmer since 2013. She graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 2012 and was dual licensed in 2013. She attended Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Missouri to further her knowledge in Restorative Art and postmortem reconstructive surgery. She has advanced skills in both embalming and restorative art.

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Our Story

Michelle opened East Texas Mortuary Service (ETMS) in Tyler, Texas in 2019 and began serving funeral homes by offering all services, from embalming to advanced trauma repair. In January of 2021, ETMS became the first crematory in Smith county. 

In March of 2023, she was approved by the APFSP and the State anatomical board to open her own education institution for professionals. That Institution is named Johnston Embalming & Reconstructive Institute. Michelle currently holds multiple positions within the Texas Funeral Directors Association.

Michelle strives to change the narrative in the industry from closed caskets to the possibility of open caskets under any circumstance. In 2021, she was awarded the East Texas Embalmer of the Year award and has been invited to speak on many state platforms, including Fountain National Academy Biennial International Embalming & Reconstructive Surgery Conference for
Professional Embalmers in 2022, and NFDA in 2024.

Michelle currently resides in Frankston, Texas with her husband Ben, and their three children Tatum, Jaxon, and Darryl Johnston. The Johnstons are members of the First Baptist Church of Flint.

Piney Woods Mortuary is looking forward to serving your firm, and promises to provide reliable, professional, and exceptional service to you and the families you serve.

Thank you for trusting us with your business.

© Piney Woods Mortuary Service 2025. All Rights Reserved.

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