Brenda Joyce Johnson

Brenda Joyce Johnson, age 72 made her heavenly transition on Friday, December 31, 2020 at 10:23pm surrounded by family at her bedside in Orwell, Ohio after a long-fought battle with cancer. Born in Newark, NJ on Saturday October 23, 1948, Brenda was the oldest of four children of Maynard Ross Sr. and Joyce Ross. As a teen, Brenda was a tomboy and excelled in softball, kickball and participated in the Girl Scouts. During her senior year at South Side HS in Newark, she had one child, Frederick Ross. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart Dwight Johnson on June 27, 1970 and enjoyed 49 years of matrimony until his passing on April 25, 2019. Family always came first for Brenda. She was the family matriarch and took great pride in keeping family and friends connected, young and old by consistently reaching out to loved ones. Regularly sending flowers, birthday cards, and writing notes of encouragement with her beautiful handwriting was her favorite thing to do. She relished in her role as big sister to Diane, Lorie, and Monty and kept the sibling connection strong with frequent phone calls, video chats and occasional visits. She had a special bond with each one yet rarely was there any sibling rivalry because unanimously, they all knew how much she loved them and always had their best interests at heart. Brenda worked at the Star Ledger Newspaper for several years before relocating to Orwell with her family for a new start. Brenda loved the simple comforts of country living and enjoyed her new job as the personal assistant for The King family, which began at Monarch Boxing. After Monarch, she began working for her dear friend the late Henrietta King, wife of Don King at King Training Camp. After Mrs. King’s passing, Brenda worked as the Admin Assistant for Mr. King until her passing. The entire professional boxing community loved and adored Brenda for her wonderful personality and affectionately considered her their Camp Mom. In her leisure time, Brenda loved spending time with the elderly and spent countless hours at Country Neighbor in Orwell and Briar Hill Senior Center in Middlefield, Ohio, long after her own Mom was a resident. She also loved gardening with her husband and grandson Kyle. Brenda’s greatest love, second only to her faith in God was her son, Frederick. She was extremely proud of him and they shared a beautiful and inseparable bond as mother and son. Brenda is survived by her son, Frederick D. Ross-Johnson, ex-partner Kenneth Booker (father of Frederick), sisters Diane Berry (husband James), Delores Robinson (husband Mark), brother Maynard Jr. (wife Dr. Lavetta Ross), granddaughter Kaylyn Bola (husband Hakeem), grandson Kyle D. Ross Johnson, granddaughter Sumayah Johnson, great grandchildren, Victoria and William Bola and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband Dwight Johnson, her parents Maynard Ross Sr. and Joyce Ross, and half-brother Harold Holman.

All services will be held at the Orwell North Presbyterian Church located at 135 N. Maple Street, Orwell, Ohio 44076. Visitation will be Saturday, January 9, 2021, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) with a homegoing service officiated by Pastor Tim May to begin at noon.  Arrangements are being entrusted to Paine Funeral Home, Inc., Orwell, OH. Condolences may be made at painefuneralhome.com.  For the safety of everyone, visitors are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing.

Online viewing of service:

Time 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8392575523...

Meeting I.D. 839 257 5523

FLORIST - The church will be open for deliveries on Friday, Jan. 8th, 1:00 p.m.-3 p.m. or on Saturday, Jan. 9th before 9:00 a.m.
 

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