Tanya Danielle Johnson

Tanya Danielle Walker Johnson was born on May 20, 1977 to Robyn Thompson and Nathaniel Walker Jr. at Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, New York. Tanya was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend who touched the lives of many people with her kindness, generosity, and compassion.

Tanya’s childhood was filled with many activities such as dancing school, community service, cheerleading, beach days, camping outdoors, sleep away camp and cruising. Through her travels Tanya visited Florida, Hawaii, California, England, Italy, France, Spain, Jamaica and the Bahamas, to name a few places.

Tanya attended TECI Elementary School, I.S. 227 where she learned to play the cello, and Benjamin Cardozo High School, where she was in the Law Program and President of the Leadership Club. Tanya furthered her education at Hampton University, where she enrolled in a 5-year program, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education. A few years later, she attended Bowie College, where she earned another Master’s Degree in Counseling. Tanya was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, following in the footsteps of her Grandmother Evelyn and her Aunt Crystal.  After college, Tanya relocated to Laurel, Maryland, where she began her lengthy and successful career in education.

On October 28, 2009, Tanya gave birth to her one and only son Osiris Danarion Walker, whom she adored and made every effort to provide a great family life. Tanya married her longstanding best friend, Wayne J. Johnson, Jr. PhD on August 25, 2014 and they settled in Virginia.  Tanya had a love for music, plants and gardening, as well as, crystals, and gemstones. She was a very spiritual person and an equally strong individual as she battled Lupus for over twenty-three years. Tanya just completed the school year as a teacher at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia. She was an exceptional teacher, and her dedication to her students was unwavering.

On June 13, 2023, Tanya Danielle Walker Johnson gained her wings. Tanya is survived by her husband, Wayne J. Johnson Jr. PhD, son Osiris Danarion Walker, mother Robyn Thompson (Mel), father Nathaniel Walker Jr. (Leslye), grandmother Hortense Thompson, mother-in-law Sharon Johnson, father-in-law Wayne J. Johnson Sr., brother Michael Walker (Carla), brother-in-law Micah J. Johnson, sister Marcia Blake (Assafa), sister-in-law Marcia Montgomery (Michael), sister-in-law Shawnte Dean, sister-in-law Katrina Johnson, nieces Twanesha Walker, Mauricia Walker, and Monee-Ketera Walker, nephews Sean Cadenhead and Michael Tyriq Walker and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, a  great niece, a great nephew,  and friends. Tanya was predeceased by her brother Nathaniel Walker III, grandparents Evelyn and Frederick Jones, grandfathers Jack Thompson and Nathaniel Walker Sr., and grandparents Pauline and Thomas Smith.

Tanya will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy will live on through her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her life. May she rest in peace.