Adrienne LaRissa Johnson-Gardner

On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, our beloved Adrienne LaRissa Johnson-Gardner’s journey on earth was completed. God allowed us to enjoy our beautiful child Adrienne for many years, but the Lord was ready for her to come home. Over her lifetime, Adrienne brought so much joy to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Thank you you, Lord for allowing us to be part of her life. We are comforted by the knowledge that Adrienne is now in Your presence where there is fullness of peace and joy everlasting.

Adrienne Johnson-Gardner was the only daughter of Claude Johnson, Sr. and Neller Mae Johnson. She was born on May 27, 1983 at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC.

She was baptized at Emmanuel Baptist Church SE, Washington, DC in 1988 where she maintained her membership.

Her educational journey began at Leprechaun Nursery in Clinton, MD; Naylor Road School in Washington, DC; The Owl School in Washington, DC; Stephen Decatur Middle School in Clinton, Maryland; and she graduated from Oxon Hill High School’s Science & Technology Program in 2001.

Following high school graduation, she entered Howard University in Washington, DC as a Psychology major. While at Howard University, Adrienne joined the Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated in 2003. In 2005, Adrienne graduated from Howard University. After graduation, she knew she wanted to work in the field of Social Work. She then went on to attend and graduated from the University of Maryland-Baltimore with her Masters of Social Work in 2008.

Adrienne had a natural gift and passion for working in the mental health profession. She was a mental health professional with over 15 years of experience. She gained experience working in Mental/Behavioral Health with positions with the State of Maryland, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Recovery Centers of America, and the Department of Defense/Department of the Army. Her specialties included treating individuals plagued with issues related to trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related disorders. She had the most experience in treating people of color (mostly Black/African Americans), military veterans and current military personnel.

She had a passion for traveling and has traveled to places such as Ghana; South Africa; Dubai, U.A.E.; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Jamaica.

She served her community through membership in Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Inc., Beta Zeta Chapter. As a proud Howard alum, she was a major advocate for HBCUs and would encourage young people to attend.

To honor and cherish her memory, Adrienne leaves behind her husband, Anthony Gardner; parents, Claude Johnson, Sr. and Neller Mae Johnson; brother, Claude Johnson, Jr. (Saqqara); aunts & uncles Thelma Lester, Willie Rogers (Marilyn), Wilhelmina (Monty) and Darlene McCauley; cousins LaNise Thrasher, Steve Duncan (Jackie), Erika Dean (Michael), Angela Leach (Derrick), Kim Baker (Mikel), Antrice Brown, Cynthia Bass, LaVerne McQuery, Vernetta Johnson, Edward Mukes, Charmetria Arnold, and Alicia Johnson; God Son, Harry Shields V.; and a host of loving family members in Georgia, Colorado, and New York.