Joan Jackson-Johnson (Lansing)

Dr. Joan Thomasina Jackson Johnson, of Lansing, passed away on January 29, 2022, at the age of 73 surrounded by loved ones who will strive to honor her legacy by giving back to the community.

She was born on November 7, 1948, in Jacksonville, FL, the daughter of Thomas J. Jackson and Mildred E. Tice.  She is survived by her husband Vernon Johnson; daughters Candice Coleman, Angela Johnson and Nikki Johnson; sons Kobie (Diane) Johnson and Mark Johnson; grandchildren Thomas Coleman, Derrick Lutz, Daniela Johnson, Andrea Johnson, and Etta Lee Johnson; sisters Beverly Hill, Kay (Gregory) Bolds, Annest (George) Sullivan, Lynette(Willie) Miller, Yvette Sampson; brothers Claude Jackson and Ernest (Joblee) Tice; and many nieces and nephews. Extended family Paul Johns and many godchildren.  Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson was preceded in death by her parents and brother Stanley Jackson.

Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson, “Triple J”, graduated from Edward Waters College and later matriculated to Michigan State University.  She was a clinical psychologist and under her tenure services as the Director of Human Relations and Community Services Department (HRCS) for the City of Lansing from 2006-2020 she focused on improving the lives of the poor, food security, and the homeless. 

She led innovative programs directed to the neediest citizens, including the monthly Mobile Food Pantry, Weekend Survival Kits, Connect 4 Kids, One Church One Family, Feed the Babies Keep them Dry, Lansing Community Connect, facilitating service opportunities between the Spartans Giving Pack Program and the local community, and matching faith-based community resources with human services through the Meet the Need Program.

Triple J served on many boards including the Community Coalition for Youth, Capital Area Health Alliance, Tri-County Office on Aging, Capital Area Community Services, Ingham County Child Death Review, Ingham County FIRM, Ingham County Investors Steering Committee, Capital Region Community Foundation, Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Steering Committee, Ingham County Change Initiative, and One Church One Family.  She also received many awards, including the KC Family of the Year Award, Advent House Volunteer of the Year, State of Michigan Volunteer Family of the Year, Father Mac (Lansing Catholic Central) Award for Community Service, NAACP Citizen of the Year, Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and many other awards.

The Johnson family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love through prayers, phone calls, text messages, flowers, meals and social media posts.  At this time the family will be holding a private funeral.  A public celebration of life honoring Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson will be held in mid July, details will be forthcoming. 

 In lieu of flowers, please honor Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson's legacy by donating to

"Pat Babcock" Connect 4 Kids

425 W. Grand River

East Lansing, MI 48823