Ms. Darlene Johnson

****NOTE: Funeral Service Times & Location Listed Below*** Our beloved Darlene Johnson peacefully departed on June 5, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital at the age of 50 years old, under the care of the West Michigan Cancer Center and the Bronson Healthcare Advance Illness Management Team. She was born on December 3, 1968 to the late Elder William Beck Johnson, Sr. and Rhoda Mae Johnson in Chicago, IL. Darlene attended Richards High School in Chicago, IL studying as a Cosmetologist. In 1985, she transferred to Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, MI after relocating from Chicago with her family. In the early ‘90’s, Darlene earned her CNA Certification fostering her long-term professional career in the Healthcare Industry. In her career, she was employed in various roles and capacities touching many lives in the workplace. In 2013, she earned the Bronson Methodist Hospital Presidential Award. Darlene was employed at Bronson Methodist Hospital for 24 years retiring as a Unit Clerk. Motherhood was Darlene’s calling. She loved and adored raising her only child, Darmecia Nicole Lofton-Johnson. As a single mother, she often worked 50+ hours weekly, micro managing her work/life balance and assisting in the well-being of her family. Darlene was a musical playlist, well versed in various genres of decades old music. She also loved reading, politics, and traveling with her family (especially to the Wisconsin Dells) and fellowship. Darlene has championed a 20 year ministry of servant leadership, job shadowing her dedicated parents as a liaison of many service learning projects. She was a spirited, compassionate and resourceful natural born-leader, optimizing her scarce resources. She established her role as a second mother-figure to many of her siblings, honing her skills as caregiver, strategist, problem-solver, confidante and communicator. She had a burden for facilitating the basic needs of the underserved population in need of food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance. She’s an unsung hero and philanthropist, often partnering with The Church of God of Kalamazoo; sponsor of Kalamazoo Valley Community College Pay If Forward Initiative, “Cougars Creating Community”; sponsor of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission; and sponsor of the Ministries with Community. She proactively partnered, organized, recruited, fundraised and assisted in feeding 200+ people per event. She often gifted person al Care packages, offered rides, provided school clothing and back-to-school supplies. Darlene repented her sins, accepting into her life Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her mother Rhoda read her bible scriptures, prayed and spiritually encouraged her along the way. Darlene lifted her hands in praise upon hearing the joyful sounds of Gospel music. Her mother, sister and daughter partnered providing her basic care needs and activities of daily living. Her special nephew, Martel spent one-on-one time with her at her bedside and held her hand alongside her daughter, Darmecia during her peaceful departure. Darlene was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Andrew Johnson Sr. and Ella Mae Johnson; her maternal grandparents, Clara Jenkins, Waye and Alex Jenkins; her father, Elder William Becker Johnson Sr.; her brother, Ralph T. Johnson and great nephews, Quentayveon Robinson. She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Darmecia Nicole Lofton-Johnson; and mother, Rhoda Mae Johnson both of Portage, MI; 5 brothers, Roger Dale Johnson of Grenada, MS; Alan Johnson of Muskegon, MI; Alvis Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI; Ronnie (Alicia) Johnson of Madison, MS and William Becker Johnson Jr. of Orland Park, IL; 2 sisters, Juanice (Lee) Cadney of Buffalo, NY and Darice (“Tina” ) Jackson of Kalamazoo, MI; her special nephews, Martel K. Jackson, Carl Ramone McClain and twins, William A. Johnson and Jonah A. Johnson; special nieces, Diana Johnson and Ariel Johnson; god-sister Latasha Shears; special aunts, Geneva Bryant, Lillian Cannon, Viola Tucker, Geneva Lewis and Irma Jean Nelson; special uncles, James (Bernadette) Waye and Wallace Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ms. Darlene Johnson

December 3, 1968 - June 5, 2019