Janice Marie Johnson-White

Ms. Janice Marie Johnson White, who was lovingly known by family as “Yammy,” was a caring mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was born on January 13, 1962 to the late Johnny Johnson, Sr. and Wilma Richardson Johnson. She was the baby girl of eight children born to that union.

As a child, she was raised in the church and grew up with a connection to the Lord. More recently, she attended First Baptist Church of Danville, located in Kilgore, Texas, where her infectious personality quickly made her beloved by the congregation.

She graduated from Sabine High School and pursued her passion of teaching young children as a profession for many years. She initially began her career as a teacher at her mother’s daycare center, but then went on to be a teacher at HeadStart of Denver for several years before dealing with health issues and moving back to Texas. She truly loved children and found her calling in guiding and nurturing them.

Her outgoing and charismatic personality meant she never met a stranger, and she usually left those she encountered with a joke or smile. She was happy to follow her own path and do things her way, especially when choosing her wardrobe. She was known for her unique and flashy style.

She departed this life on April 23, 2024 and entered into eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her father: Johnny Johnson, Sr.; her mother: Wilma Richardson Johnson; three brothers: Johnnie Johnson Jr., Van Johnson, and Kenith Johnson; two nieces: Michelle Cooper and Annie Jones; and one nephew: Guiaus Elder.

She leaves to treasure her memories: her former husband, Maurice White, Sr. of Florence, South Carolina; one daughter: Latiffa Sharpe (James) of Keller, Texas; two sons: Maurice White of Tyler, Texas and Georgio White of Rome, New York; one brother: Supt. Pervis Johnson (Sharlie) of Kilgore, Texas; three sisters: Patricia Stallworth of Terrell, Texas, Sandra Elder (Rev. James Elder) of Longview, Texas, and Esther Jones of Longview, Texas; three grandchildren: Natalie White, Jamaud White, and Aydan Sharpe, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.