GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson dies at 82, City of Greensboro confirmed Wednesday.
Johnson served as the city's first African American Mayor from 2007-2009. She was previously a member of the Greensboro City Council for 14 years, beginning in 1993, and Mayor Pro-Tem for 6 years.
Johnson was honored at the 2023 International Civil Rights Center & Museum Gala, receiving the lifetime community service award.
She was not at the city council meeting Tuesday night.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaugh released a statement following Johnson's death:
I have the difficult task of sharing some very sad news for the City of Greensboro and all of us who live here.
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. She served as a city council member for 14 years and as Mayor Pro-Tem for 6. She was also the first person of color to serve as mayor when she won in 2007.
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.
“Early on, Mom didn’t seek out to be in politics,” said daughter Lisa Johnson Tonkins. “It was a local reverend who saw her capacity to lead and serve and convinced her to follow what would be her passion.”
She was as “local” as you can get. Graduated from Dudley High School and attended both Bennett College and North Carolina A&T State University. She would go on to be the first African American in the state to join the Junior League…again… serving wherever she could.
Yvonne Johnson didn’t just honor us through her political position. She worked with countless organizations to make a difference. She was an executive director of One Step Further, a non-profit that provides mediation and alternative court programs for Greensboro’s youth. She served on the board of directors for the Malachi House and was the first president of the Women’s Resource Center.
“Our family is immensely proud of her service, and she was and still is a role model for her four kids and seven grandkids,” continued Tonkins. “Her mantra was that service is the rent you pay for your time on earth. Mom’s rent has been paid up.”
Her legacy will forever be a part of the City of Greensboro.
Greensboro Councilwoman Marikay Abuzuaiter said it will never be the same without Yvonne.
"She was just a force, and I don't know any other way to say it, but Greensboro is Yvonne you know being caring, all the things we want everyone to be," Abuzuaiter said. " Yvonne is the epitome of caring and compassionate following the rules as well."
Commissioner Skip Alston says city leaders must go forward in Johnson's name.
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