Yelonda Denise Johnson

Yelonda Denise Johnson, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, was born on April 7, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois, and gently departed this life on June 18, 2026, while fulfilling her calling in Miami, Florida, as part of her missionary work. Yelonda, a devoted servant of the Lord, embraced each day with unwavering faith, kindness, and a smile that could light up any room. Born to Ernest J. Mays and Willie Mae Johnson, Yelonda's journey through life was marked by an unyielding love for her family and her community. She was preceded in death by her cherished partner Dwight P. Turner, her father Ernest J. Mays, her brother Londrell Johnson, and her beloved grandparents Louise and Charlie Johnson, and Earlene and Wallace T. Mays Sr., as well as her dear Aunt Justine Mays. Her surviving family includes her treasured children, son Jawan J. Johnson and daughter Amisia Q. Davis, along with her adored grandchildren Danika Y. Johnson, Harmony E. Davis, and Constant P. Thomas. She also leaves behind her devoted sisters Cynthia, Latricesa, Dianatha, and Vishada, and her caring brothers Shurone and Romano. Yelonda's educational journey began at Paul Robeson High School in Chicago, IL, and continued at Empire Beauty College in Madison, WI, where she nurtured her passion for hairstyling—a gift she shared generously with others. Her career spanned various roles, from working at Dairy Queen to serving at nursing homes, where her compassion and warmth touched the lives of many. A woman of many talents and interests, Yelonda found joy in just about everything. My mom was an avid daily journaler, loved playing UNO with her grandchildren, and loved to dance. Her zest for life was evident in her love for cooking, exercising, skating, swimming. Daily prayer and meditation was very important to her, very rarely or if at all would she would skip a day, it was her daily bread. Her hunger for Christ and adventurous spirit led her on many cross-country missionary focused road trips, from Florida to Texas and everywhere in between. She also drove from Madison, WI to Colorado to see me and her grandkids. She would do anything and go anywhere for us no matter how far we were. Yelonda was also a Christian TikTok influencer, who used her platform to spread the word of Jesus Christ and lead others unto him. She was a dedicated student of the Bible, Yelonda was a woman of deep spirituality and creativity, whose generosity knew no bounds. Known for her infectious laughter and her ability to make everyone feel special, she always gave out compliments. Yelonda never missed a birthday or special occasion, and she absolutely loved taking pictures of her family and friends. Her homemade meals and thoughtful gestures were a testament to the love she carried for those around her. Her favorite meals to prepare were fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs (made with ground turkey), salad with red onions, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, eggs and 1000 Island her favorite dressing, and cannot forget her famous homemade peanut butter cookies. She absolutely loved the holidays and making her dressing. Christmas and Thanksgiving were her top two. She wasn't a big fan of Halloween but she always laughed and said how cute her grandkids were in their costumes. Yelonda's life was a testament to her unwavering love for her family, her friends, and her faith. She was a rare soul, embodying unconditional forgiveness, peace, kindness, joy, gratitude and gratefulness. My mom provided unlimited smiles, unlimited hugs, unlimited encouragement and happiness. My mom loved to smile, laugh, she was extremely funny, the life of the party, kind, thoughtful. She saved so many lives without even trying when she left the projects for Wisconsin. A Very rare soul. A chosen one. God's anointed. She was very creative, kind hearted, soft spoken, peaceful, high on Jesus, and drunk with the spirit of Christ. Super determined, easy to prank (ask Danika), screamed and asked questions during movies (non-stop), loved to learn new things, I love when she would be in awe of something, it was so funny and a little confusing to me watching her face light up at something I thought was so simple. My mom was in a way very pure to something's, which always amazed me. She was very girly, non -judgemental, shopped until she dropped for wigs, clothes, jewelry, sandals. Always kept her hair done, nails and feet done. Sometimes she did them herself or went to the shop. She never did her own hair, besides installing a wig. She loved wearing wigs even though she had long, thick, beautiful, black hair. My mom dressed very classy, she was blessed with pearly, straight, white, beautiful, gorgeous teeth and a "killer shape", that I and my kids were blessed to inherit. Coming up people would say "you look just like your mom" or call me "Lil Yelonda", I never saw it until I got older, and I've never seen it as much as I do today, and I'm proud to look just look my Mommy. If I could even be half the woman she was, with a heart like hers, compounded with her love for Jesus Christ is a win to me. I hope to strive, repeat and share with the world her spiritual accomplishments. All the kids loved her they never wanted to go home, she made friend's anywhere and everywhere she went. She wasn't to fond of dogs due to bad experiences, even the little ones she was skeptical of lol. She liked cats though. She provided a home for my cat "Gracie". My mom knew how to drive a manual stick shift and she loved being on the open road. No matter what she went thru she never denied her love for Jesus, she never stopped believing, never stopped fighting for what she wanted, she never gave up on her kids, her life of her family NEVER. Her legacy is one of inspiration and love—qualities that she shared freely with all who knew her, qualities that changed the world, changed me, inspired me and countless other's from here and around the world who would fill this place and many streets over to pay their respects if they knew of her passing. Yelonda is truly loved by so many. As she often said after prayer, "Sleep with the angels." I now say, Sleep well Mom, sleep with the angels. You are now with your heavenly Father. Although your life was cut short, although you didn't want to go, God called you home to forever rest in peace. I can see you smiling now, more likely than not, holding up the peace sign, as that was your signature pose in most of your pictures. No matter what we went thru I PROMISE it was a privilege, honor and blessing to have you as a MOM and best friend. I/We are forever grateful. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing you feels the same way. Mom you will forever be Missed, Loved, Cherished, Honored, Respected, Never Forgotten and Forever Celebrated. I PROMISE. This isn't goodbye, this is so long until we see each other again. In lieu of money the family kindly requests that donations be made in Yelonda's memory to a charity or church of your choice, honoring her lifelong commitment to service and love.