Juanita Miriam Johnson slipped peacefully into the comforting arms of the Lord on January 14, 2026, concluding a long and courageous battle with respiratory illness. She was 80 years old. She was a very cultured woman delighting in unique style, travel, music, good food, global and especially Afro diasporic culture. Many who knew her spoke of her natural "cool" - a presence that didn't need to announce itself. Strong in spirit until the very end, Juanita met life and its challenges with strength, blessed assurance, and an unmistakable sense of self.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1945 to Clinton E. Johnson Sr. and Florence Olivia Keller, Juanita moved to Metro Boston soon after, where she grew up in the vibrant community of West Medford, Massachusetts. The oldest of many brothers and cousins of her generation, She was sure to look out for her family especially in their adult years.

After graduating from Bishop College, Juanita dedicated her life to education. She was an elementary school educator with Boston Public Schools where she taught at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School for more than 35 years. She held high standards, believed deeply in her students, and showed up with consistency and strength.

Her assured presence carried seamlessly from firm classroom standards to a fun loving and at times no nonsense spunk amongst her peers. Juanita was an active and committed community member, enthusiastically participating in groups such as the Boston Jazz Society, the Women's Service Club of Boston, the Millennium Gospel Choir, and programs at the Kroc Senior Center. She was also an active member in the church. She served as a trustee at Shiloh Baptist Church of Medford, and later as a choir member at People's Baptist Church of Boston.

Juanita lived a full and dynamic life, marked by great experiences, perseverance, and love.  And most of all she loved the Lord and was sure to instill that love in her daughter and generations to come.

She is now reunited in heaven with her parents, Clinton E. Johnson Sr. and Florence Olivia Keller, and her beloved son Anthony D. Johnson.

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Juanita Pearl Johnson; granddaughter, Zailah Olivia Johnson-Foster; siblings, Clinton E. Johnson Jr., Eugene C. Johnson, Elliot L. Johnson, and David O. Johnson; beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who are like family; and a wide community of loved ones whose lives were shaped, steadied, and strengthened by her presence.