Read Dana Michelle Johnson's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Dana Michelle Johnson

Jacksonville Beach, FL, USA

October 16, 1985 - October 5, 2020

Oct 16, 1985 - Oct 5, 2020

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a donation to Dana Johnson Memorial Fund.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Dana Michelle Johnson (lover of 90s hip-hop, cheese cubes, ducks, chubby baby knees, and the Taco Bell Baja Blast) flashed her crystalline blue eyes for the last time on October 5, 2020.

Though she might have seemed unassuming and quiet, we all know she was really a firecracker. She had a keen eye for style and remained forever inspired by her brief but powerful obsession with the movie Clueless. For the longest time, Dana would write down in her planner what she wore to work every day, so as not to wear the same outfit twice in one month. Ugh, as if!

There was never a mirror or a reflective surface that passed her gaze unnoticed. This might be a trait we would consider obnoxious or overtly vain and shallow, but with Dana is was somehow endearing. Her face was pretty, but so too were her heart and mind, so she couldn’t help but shine brightly. We can’t blame the girl for taking a long look!

She loved to eat food. Once she got real-life mad at someone for taking her food in a dream. It should also be noted that she could, with no trouble, scarf down an entire pizza when no one was looking and then pretend like it never happened. And let’s never forget the knock-down, drag-out type of argument that might come if you ate her Biscoff spread without asking. It was not pretty.

And, man, was she funny. It’s hard to not be funny when your favorite movies were Dumb & Dumber and Steal Magnolias (she was definitely a Truvy). One of Dana's many talents was making friends with everyone, because she passed no judgements; unless, of course, you didn't see the humor in watching overweight cats race each other down the hallway. She had a quick tongue, without being cruel, and could never pass the opportunity to laugh at her favorite inside joke: men with two first names, like Travis Scott.

In passing, she leaves behind a slew of mis-matched, removed, twice-removed, and, ultimately, chosen family members: Brian, Leslie, Kit, Mike, Joe, Becky, Alec, Robin, Bob, BJ, Todd, Tina, and her beloved aunts: Debbie, Andrea, Gerri; uncles: Kenny, Paul, Tracy; and cousins: Josh, Jessica, Tristan, Keenan, Brandon, Nicholas, and Michael.

Also remaining are her sisters Jamee and Dahlton, two women working hard to leave the world a better place than they were given; and her mother, Kim (lover of horses and Harleys) otherwise known as Mama Kim to a significant percentage of Fletcher High School’s graduating seniors between the years 2000 and 2004.

Additionally, she is survived by her first true love, The Real Slim Shady; her husband James; and her two beautiful stepdaughters Laylah (6) and Kinley (6).

Lastly, she is survived by her three proudest accomplishments: Kassidy Michelle (12), Brooklyn Elizabeth (8), and Connor James (3). If it was hard to truly know Dana in her youth, it was because she was not yet a mother. It came to her naturally and she seemed perfectly suited for life as mama bear to her babies.

Dana’s love as a mother, her quick and quiet wit, and her overwhelming kindness will always shine through; but in her loss is the opportunity to bring awareness to all of those affected by addiction. For several years she could not find her way. No matter how hard she tried to pick herself up, her disease had a powerful hold on her. We all wish she could have seen in herself what we could see: a gentle and doting parent, a strong, beautiful woman full of life and vision, and a friend to all.

We should celebrate the life she had, and help remind her children every day just how much she loved them, even on the darkest days. We can never forget that she was an amazing woman with a huge tribe and kind heart.
She did not want to leave this world, but her disease was merciless. It is up to all of us to open our minds and hearts to those that are still struggling and do everything we can. We shouldn’t be afraid to tell her story, for if it helps to save even a single person, than Dana’s death could never be in vain.

Lastly, Dana’s day of remembrance, October 10, coincides with National Mental Health Day. If you or anyone you know is struggling, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1.800.662.HELP (4357)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Please consider a donation to Dana Johnson Memorial Fund.

$50,000

goal

2.5 %

Learn more & give