GREENSBORO, N.C. — A large crowd gathered Saturday at Bennett College to honor the life and legacy of former Greensboro mayor Yvonne Johnson.
Johnson, Greensboro's first Black mayor, died on December 4 at 82 after serving the previous six years as the city's Mayor pro tem. She left behind a massive legacy as a community leader, friend and mother.
"Yvonne Johnson was remarkable because she was so real," said former Greensboro City Council Member Robbie Perkins. "She was always the conscience of our city council, and, in my opinion, she was the conscience of our community."
Johnson’s passion for helping others began early on in her life. During her time as a student at Bennett College, she organized sit-ins in support of the Civil Rights Movement. Later on, she received a Master of Science degree in Guidance Counseling from North Carolina A&T.
In 1983, Johnson became the director of the non-profit One Step Further, whose work aims to help "keep young people out of the criminal justice system, resolve conflicts among adults and families, lower rates of repeat offenses and diffuse violence before it happens."
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the prominent civil rights activist and ordained Baptist minister, even sent in a letter. In it, he called Johnson's memory "a blessing and an inspiration for all of us."
"Yvonne Johnson continues to be an inspiration, exhortation and a gateway to our imagination of helpful, hopeful, vibrant and thoughtful community engagement ..." Jackson said. "May her memory continue to inspire us to be great and compassionate in community service."
Johnson first joined Greensboro's City Council in 1993 and served there for 14 years before becoming mayor in 2007.
Current Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughn shared the following statement shortly after Johnson's death:
Our city lost one of its champions. Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson passed away this afternoon surrounded by family. It is an understatement to say that Yvonne was a pillar of this community.
Even in youth, Yvonne showed signs of being a future leader. She was raised in a family of faith and service, surrounded by people who believed in helping others.
Johnson had four children with her late husband Walter (Walter III, Vernon, Lisa and Shannon), and, according to her obituary, "her adoration for her children was only matched by the love for her eight grandchildren."
One of Johnson's grandchildren, Lillian Sequoyah Johnson, spoke at the Celebration of Life on Saturday. She reminded those in attendance that while her grandmother's work on earth was complete, her light would continue to shine on the community she helped build in Greensboro.
"Service is the rent you pay for living on this earth, and Grammy’s rent was paid in full," Lillian Sequoyah said. "She taught us to walk with purpose, to love with kindness, and to shine our light just as brightly as hers."
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