Memorial service held for Greensboro Council Member Yvonne Johnson

Funeral services were held on Saturday for Greensboro Mayor Pro Tempore Yvonne Johnson, who passed away this month at the age of 82. 

Hundreds of mourners processed into the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel to say their final goodbyes to Johnson, who served on Greensboro’s City Council until her death on December 4. 

Johnson began her activism in the city during her time at Bennett College, when she participated in sit-ins led by the Greensboro Four. She went on to found One Step Further, a nonprofit dedicated to social justice causes. She served on the boards of several other charitable organizations and became Greensboro’s first Black mayor in 2007. 

In their remarks, Johnson’s family members, including grandchild Teara Johnson, repeatedly referenced one of her signature lines: service is the rent you pay for living on earth.

“Grammy, your rent is paid, you are debt-free," she said. "You get a job well done for the people that you laid the foundation for."

Several political figures also paid tribute to Johnson, including Governor Roy Cooper, who sent a video message. Reverend Jesse Jackson, who met Johnson through their civil rights activism in the 1960s, sent a letter calling her “inspiring and impactful.”

Speakers included current Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn. 

“You know it’s kind of tough being mayor sitting next to Yvonne. But I knew I was sitting next to the people’s mayor.”

Vaughn spoke of Johnson’s service and dedication to the community — and her wit.

“She had a wicked sense of humor," she said. "I would try to get her to turn off her mic. As you can tell, it didn't work very often.”

Vaughn closed her remarks by reading a proclamation setting aside December 4 of every year as a day to honor Johnson’s memory.