The Johnston Family Mourns the Loss of Trent’s Father on 7 Little Johnstons
On the TLC series 7 Little Johnstons, viewers are witnessing the Johnston family’s heartfelt journey through the grieving process following the passing of Trent’s father, affectionately known as “Poppy.” In a poignant recent episode, Trent shared a deeply emotional eulogy with his family, reflecting on the lessons he learned from his father.
Remembering Poppy
Walter “Pete” Lawrence Johnston, Trent’s father, passed away on March 10, 2024, at the age of 90. Since 7 Little Johnstons debuted in 2015, fans have watched the family navigate life’s challenges and changes together. Season 15 has been particularly difficult as the family faced concerns about the care of their aging relatives. The seventh episode poignantly highlighted the family’s loss.
Trent took to Instagram shortly after his father’s passing to pay tribute, writing, “Heaven gained an amazing man, our Poppy,” accompanied by a blue heart emoji.
A Lesson in Strength
In the emotional clip, Trent spoke fondly of his father, recalling shared memories. He noted, “Dad was a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan and Georgia Bulldogs fan,” reminiscing about attending Braves games together and their tradition of parking in a neighbor’s driveway.
Trent also shared a touching memory of buying boiled peanuts from a street vendor, recalling how the vendor would greet his father with, “Hello, Mr. Pete.” This prompted Trent to ask his dad how the vendor remembered him. His father imparted a powerful life lesson: “Being a little person, people will always remember you. It is up to you what they remember about you.”
He continued, “He also said, ‘We are little people. Some may judge us on our size. When you shake hands with somebody, squeeze it hard, son. Let them know your strength.’”
Reflecting on Loss
In his confessionals, Trent reflected on the profound sadness of losing a parent, saying, “When your parents pass away, it is sad. But if you have a parent that was strong in their faith, a man like Poppy, it’s a blessing to us now because we got somebody else to talk to.” He reassured viewers, “And I’m just not saying that. I really, really mean that.” Acknowledging the difficult days ahead, he added, “Now we just got to get through tomorrow.”
Fans responded to Trent’s heartfelt tribute with an outpouring of support and condolences. Many expressed their appreciation for his poignant message about his father’s teachings. Comments included:
- “Very touching words. So very sorry for your loss. He will always be with you. May Poppy rest in peace.”
- “Awwww…. I’m sorry we live in a world where there’s judgment on size. You guys are pretty good people, and I’m sorry for the loss.”
- “It’s so hard to say goodbye to those we love dearly. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know it’s a great loss. You are a wonderful family, and many prayers to all of you.”
The Johnston family’s journey through grief highlights the strength of their bonds and the lasting impact of Poppy’s wisdom.