Louise Virginia Johnson

Louise Virginia Johnson, age 97, passed away on April 5, 2026, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born on November 4, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Isadore Henry Gross and Eloise Randolph Gross. Louise was raised in Kansas City, where she built a life rooted in family, education, and community.

Louise graduated from Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and went on to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and later obtained a Master’s degree in Reading (Specialist) from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Louise was united in marriage to Olenda Knowles in 1953, and from this union, her daughter, Taryn L. Todd, was born in 1954. She later married John Edward Johnson, and to this union were born two sons, John Edward Johnson Jr. (1963) and Jeffrey Johnson (1965).

She was an active member of Club Impromptu, a social club, and The Links, Incorporated, Kansas City Chapter, where she cultivated lasting friendships and contributed to her community.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Isadore and Eloise Gross; her son, John Edward Johnson Jr.; and her brother, Isadore Gross Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Taryn Todd; her son, Jeffrey Johnson; her sister, Myrtle Dooley; her granddaughter, Dennise (Fred) Lane; her great-granddaughter, Lauren Lane; her niece, Krystle (Ernst); her nephew, Rodney (Priscilla) Gross; and a host of cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Augustine Episcopal Church.