Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
The Greensboro community is mourning the loss of Yvonne Jeffries Johnson, a dedicated public servant and beloved leader, who passed away on December 4 at the age of 82.
Johnson was born on October 26, 1942, in Greensboro to the late Rev. Vernon F. Jeffries and late Ruby Jeffries. The daughter of a minister and niece of the first African American to earn a doctoral degree in dairy science, she spent her childhood on former North Carolina A&T College farmland.
A 1960 graduate of James B. Dudley High School, Johnson’s longtime dedication to service and fighting for civil rights can be traced back to her time as a freshman at Bennett College and her participation in the F.W. Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-ins in 1960.
As a Bennett Belle, she took part in the historic sit-in demonstrations launched by the A&T Four that not only overturned a racist seating policy for the Woolworth’s lunch counter in downtown Greensboro, but also served as a catalyst for public accommodations protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Johnson graduated from Bennett with a psychology degree the same year that legislation was signed into law, and went on to earn an M.S. in Education with a concentration in Guidance Counseling from N.C. A&T.
“It is with an immeasurable sadness that we share news of the passing of our beloved alumna and Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem, Yvonne Johnson ’64. Yvonne was a beacon of hope, courage, and love whose life embodied the very essence of service and leadership. As Greensboro’s first Black mayor and founder of One Step Further, Inc., she devoted her life to fighting for justice, equity and the betterment of her community. Yvonne’s unwavering love for Bennett College was evident in the way she championed its mission and inspired future generations of Belles to lead with purpose and grace. While our hearts ache with this tremendous loss, we find solace in the enduring impact of her life’s work. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who were blessed to know and love her,” said Bennett College President, Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD.
On March 20, 1965, Yvonne married the love of her life, Attorney Walter T. Johnson Jr. Immediately after marrying Walter, the couple relocated to Newburgh, New York and resided at Stewart Air Force Base until they moved back to Greensboro in 1968.
Johnson and her husband became co-owners of Barjo Inc. that same year, a chemical manufacturing business while she served as president and worked for the company for five years. She went on to build her own career at One Step Further, Inc., in 1982, overseeing its growth from a mediation program with just one and a half employees to an organization offering ten programs with more than seventeen staff members. More than 40 years later, One Step Further continues to thrive as an integral part of juvenile services in the local criminal justice system, and Johnson served as its executive director until she announced her retirement in June 2024.
When speaking on her retirement to The Peacemaker in June, Johnson said, “I’m sure I’ll miss it. But whatever I can do in this city from now ‘till I pass on away from here, I’m going to do it,” she concluded. “It’s humbling to know my service has inspired others.”
Bettye Young-Stewart, one of Johnson’s dearest friends for more than 50 years, spoke fondly about their bond and Johnson’s lasting impact on her life.
“Her knowledge and guidance helped me start my mediation company in 1985,” Young-Stewart shared. “She was the epitome of excellence when it came to helping people, and her motto was, “You can solve any problem as long as you learn to listen with your heart.”’
The pair met weekly for Friday night dinners for decades, a tradition that cemented their deep friendship. “We never had an argument or a cross word between us,” Young-Stewart said. “The hardest part of being Yvonne’s friend is having to speak at her funeral.”
Andrena Coleman, executive director of One Step Further, Inc., shared a statement from the board and staff noting, “The board of directors and staff of One Step Further, Inc. are deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Yvonne Johnson. We will be forever indebted to her for her leadership, vision, wisdom and unwavering commitment to inclusivity for all residents of Greensboro and the surrounding areas. Her passion for service and dedication to improving the lives of others leaves an indelible mark on our community. We vow to honor her legacy by continuing the mission of One Step Further, Inc. and by modeling the life she lived as a true servant of the people. Her impact will be felt for generations to come.”
Johnson was elected to the Greensboro City Council in 1993, rising to the role of mayor pro-tem in 2001 as the first African American to hold that post. Her historic election as mayor in 2007 preceded Barrack Obama’s election as the nation’s first Black president in 2008.
After losing reelection to the mayoral seat in 2010, she returned to the City Council in 2011 when she was elected to an at-large seat. She was elected mayor pro-tem and served in that capacity until her death.
Johnson championed key community issues like affordable housing, public transportation and workforce development. Johnson’s legacy includes pivotal milestones such as closing the White Street Landfill, renovating Morning Side Homes into Willow Oaks, and accepting the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the 1979 Greensboro Massacre. The former of which came before the council again this year, as the city-preferred dumpsite for contaminated soil that will be extracted from Bingham Park. Johnson kept her stance on not supporting the use of White Street Landfill throughout the many city discussions.
Sharon Hightower, District 1 City Council member, who has worked alongside Johnson for years said, “This loss is a devastating blow to the city council and all those who know her. I think her legacy for me will always be that she was a servant to all people. She served with grace and dignity. One of the things about her that I will always remember is her nuggets of advice. She had a balance of common sense thinking and compassion for others. The best way to honor her is that we continue to uphold her mantra of service. She will be missed tremendously.”
Johnson has received an outpouring of respect from her professional colleagues including Rep. Kathy Manning, U.S. Congressional District 6 who said,
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend Yvonne Johnson, Greensboro’s first African American mayor and a trailblazer who uplifted our community through her decades of public service. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.”
Beyond her professional work, Johnson was heavily involved in volunteer service. She was a member of The Greensboro Drifters, Inc. which she founded. She also served as the youngest National President of the National Drifters, Inc. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She served on the boards of several organizations, having served as chairperson of the Bennett College Board of Trustees for ten years and on the board of directors for the local United Way. She also served on the boards of the Malachi House; Triad Sickle-Cell Anemia Foundation; the Youth Services Bureau; the YWCA; Greensboro Cerebral Palsy School; and the Greensboro Child Advocacy Board.
Her leadership earned many honors over the years, such as the 2023 Lifetime Community Service Award by Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Center & Museum; Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest recognition in the state; the African American Women of Distinction Award by the African American Atelier, and the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Peace from Morehouse University, to name a few.
In honor of the late Johnson, the City of Greensboro lowered its flags to half-staff at city facilities. Additionally, the Greene Street Parking Deck was illuminated in purple (her favorite color), commemorating the city’s recognition of Johnson’s lasting legacy and significant contributions to Greensboro.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton released the following statement on Johnson’s passing: “On behalf of Democrats across our state, I want to pay tribute to the life and legacy of former Greensboro Mayor and City Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson. Mayor Johnson dedicated her life to her community and to public service. Her love for her city and her state was undeniable and her constituents know the impact she’s left behind. We honor Mayor Johnson, and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to her family and to the people of Greensboro.”
Yvonne was predeceased by her beloved husband Walter; they celebrated 56 years of marriage. Yvonne is survived by her four children: Walter T. Johnson III (Samara), Vernon Johnson (Dr. Tina), Attorney Lisa Yvonne Johnson-Tonkins (Elbert) and Shannon Johnson-Lackey (Tarji). Her eight grandchildren: Vernon “Kenji” Johnson, Jalen Tonkins, Teara Johnson, Devin Tonkins, Lillian Sequoyah Johnson, Sanai’ Yvonne Johnson, Maya Grace Johnson and Malik Tonkins and three great grandchildren, Kamaari, Aulia Gracie and Carmelo. She was also survived by her only sister Jacqueline Kpeglo; nieces: Attorney Enyonam Williams (Daniel), Senadzi Haley (Evan), Mary Alice Shaw (Rodney), Lillian Francis (Eric); nephew, Rodger Dickerson (Alecia), Mitchell Trice (Stephanie).
Funeral services for Johnson are scheduled for this weekend. A viewing will be held at Perry Brown Funeral Home located at 909 E. Market Street Greensboro, on Friday, December 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A horse-drawn procession in Yvonne’s honor will be held on December 14 and starts at 11 a.m., beginning at Brown Funeral Home, to Dudley St. ending on Washington St. behind Bennett College’s Chapel. Funeral will follow the processional beginning at 1 p.m. Family visitation hour is from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on the campus of Bennett College and will be streamed online at http://www.bennett.edu/live.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bennett College in memory of Yvonne Jeffries Johnson ’64.
“Our family is immensely proud of her service, and she was and still is a role model for her four kids and seven grandkids,” said daughter Lisa Johnson Tonkins. “Her mantra was that service is the rent you pay for your time on earth. Mom’s rent has been paid up.”
A viewing will be held at Perry Brown Funeral Home located at 909 E. Market Street Greensboro, N.C. 27401 on Friday, December 13 from 5-7 p.m. A parade in Yvonne’s honor will start at 11 a.m. beginning at Brown Funeral Home, to Dudley St ending on Washington St behind Bennett College’s Chapel. Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 14 beginning at 1 p.m. Family hour is from 12-1 p.m. at Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on the campus of Bennett College. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bennett College in Yvonne’s honor.
