Audrey Elaine Johnson, known to friends and family as Elaine or Ham, was born in Cleveland, OH, to Joseph and Maggie in a rooming house near Joe’s parents and Maggie’s father and wife. They attended church at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where Elaine accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. Her parents valued education, family, faith, and hard work, values Elaine espoused throughout her life. Born prematurely, Elaine was petite and timid, and everyone adored her. She loved playing with dolls and toy guns, reading comic books, watching movies and boxing because of Joe’s career as a boxer and trainer. She also lived on their maternal grandfather’s farm and was active in several sports through adulthood.
Elaine was bright and loved school. Her earliest childhood memory was attending Wooldridge Elementary School, where she learned to speak French and play the piano. Her oldest sister, Eileen, also taught her music and other lessons. She graduated from John Hay High School and worked while earning her Associate’s Degree in Public Administration. Elaine applied her clerical and administrative skills mainly in public service positions for Cuyahoga County, identifying racial discrimination in employment, finding funding opportunities for minorities, and teaching. Influenced by the gruesome murder of Emmett Till, Elaine grew politically active and served as a precinct committeewoman. She proudly helped campaign for candidates she believed would serve in the best interest of Black Americans, most notably Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Virgil E. Brown. She later worked as a staff assistant to Rep. Louis Stokes and retired in 2007 from the county Board of Elections.
Elaine met Lloyd Matthew Johnson in 1982, and they married after a long courtship. As they affectionately referred to one another, Honey #1 and Honey #2 loved the other’s children as their own and celebrated their union surrounded by all five. For 42 years, they modeled love, honor, service, and respect. Together, they faithfully served in many roles at Shiloh and Greater Vision Baptist Church. Elaine was a Deaconess and served in the choir, on the Courtesy Committee, and the Educational Committee. She began attending Zion Chapel Baptist Church several months ago. Elaine’s Christian faith, service to the Lord, strong work ethic, and love for family and friends were hallmarks of her character. She honored every commitment and took meticulous care and pride in her work and appearance. She was a devoted wife and mother and an active fixture in the children’s schools. She had high expectations for their school performance, behavior toward others, and attendance at church and family gatherings. She maintained close ties with her relatives and was almost inseparable from her sisters, Eileen and Jeanette. She cherished her visits with close friends and hardly ever went a day without encountering a familiar face. Elaine enjoyed collecting owl figurines, singing, and making people laugh. She enjoyed crafting table decorations and her own Christmas tree decorations. She liked playing cards, dining out, bargain shopping, casino time, and attending theater and music concerts.
Elaine submitted quietly to the Lord’s call home shortly after developing pancreatic cancer. She wanted us to know that she was most proud of raising good, healthy kids, thankful for having a wholesome family life while remaining faithful to God, and endeavored to leave others with a zeal for service and a commitment to maintaining close family relationships. Audrey Elaine Johnson is survived by her husband, Lloyd; children, Brian Gerald [Pam] Robinson, Monica [Dwayne ] Johnson, Nicole Marie [Johnny] Johnson, and Ericka Jeneen [William] Owens; grandchildren, Anthony [Julia] Robinson, Christopher [Danielle] Robinson, Brian [Genelle] Robinson, Jr, Darsean, Monai, Devaughn, Deion, Shannon, Jada, Nina, Jaayla, Briah, and William; great-grandchildren, Michael, Jada, Maria, Jordan, Micah, Emere, Ayden, Brian, III; Kortez, Kameron, Kyla, Krystin, and Elijah; great-great-grandchildren, Fatima; her siblings, Eileen Basit, Jeanette [Butch] Turner, Salim Talib; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Lyneise Michelle Johnson.