Canta Johnson

˜ The Journey ˜

Canta Yvonne Smith Johnson peacefully entered eternal rest on [date], surrounded by her loving family in Largo, Maryland. A woman of faith, service, intellect, and boundless love, Canta lived a life marked by purpose and devotion to others.

Canta was born on February 26, 1941, in LaGrange, Georgia, to the late George and Johnnie Mae Smith. She was the fourth oldest of eight sisters and one brother. While her life began in Georgia, her formative years were shaped in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where the Smith family relocated and planted deep roots. It was there that Canta attended Bangs Avenue School, unknowingly beginning a lifelong bond with the institution that would later become central to her legacy.

After graduating high school, Canta demonstrated her independence and determination by saving her own money to attend Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Virginia—her beloved “Home by the Sea.” Initially studying home economics, she later followed her calling and changed her major to elementary education. During her senior year, she married her college sweetheart and best friend, Thomas E. Johnson, an Army ROTC cadet who would later rise to the rank of Full Colonel in the United States Army. Their union of fifty years was a testament to love, partnership, and faith.

Canta’s teaching career began in Tacoma, Washington, and soon expanded across the globe through assignments with the Department of Defense. She taught in Worms, Heilbronn, and Stuttgart, West Germany, balancing her profession while raising a family of four children. While overseas, she earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University’s Heidelberg Campus and was especially recognized as the student who traveled the furthest commuting from Bremerhaven, Germany to complete her degree.

Following the family’s return to the United States, Canta resumed teaching at Bangs Avenue Elementary School in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where she dedicated more than 27 of her 35 plus years in education. Her commitment to children extended far beyond the classroom. She worked tirelessly with administrators, staff, parents, and community members to ensure every child had the opportunity to thrive.

While serving as School Counselor, Canta identified the growing number of grandparents raising grandchildren and helped establish the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group, providing resources, advocacy, and compassion to families in need. She also reactivated the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops at Bangs Avenue School, creating safe spaces for leadership and growth.

Her service reached beyond education. Trained by Trinity Hospice, Canta volunteered as a bereavement counselor for Camp Lost and Found, her dedication to prevention and wellness was recognized in 1999 when she received the Substance Abuse Resources Award of the Year for Excellence in Prevention, and again in 1996 with the State of New Jersey Department of Education Governor’s Teacher Recognition Certificate.

Canta served faithfully on numerous boards and committees, including the Board of Trustees for the Mercy Center of Asbury Park, the Bangs Avenue Parent-Teacher Organization, the Monmouth County Traumatic Loss Interventions for Youth Coalition, and the Prevention Policy Board. Later in life, she continued her ministry of service as part of the Fellowship Committee at Chapel II, Joint Base Andrews, in Camp Springs, Maryland.

Following retirement, Canta and her husband relocated to Fort Washington, Maryland, to be closer to their children. There, she became a beloved member of the historic Chapel II family at Andrews Air Force Base, inspired by dear friends General (Ret.) and Mrs. Darren McDew. Canta expressed her love most vividly through cooking. Every fourth Sunday, she lovingly prepared elaborate and unforgettable meals to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays at Chapel II. To Canta, love was not something you merely said—it was something you did. And if she cooked for you, you knew you were deeply loved.

Canta leaves behind a rich legacy of love and service. She is survived by her devoted children: Sherrita Powell (Barry), Rhonda Johnson, Tasha Dorsey (Kevin), and Thomas E. Johnson Jr.; six cherished grandchildren: Kevin Dorsey, Jr., Shelby Powell, Thomas Johnson, III, Michael Johnson, Donovan Powell, Myles Dorsey, and Morgan Dorsey; her beloved sisters Georgia Smith Gilbert, Rita Robinson, Denise Smith, Hope Smith, Wanda Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, former students, colleagues, and friends whose lives were forever changed by her presence. Canta was predeceased by her husband, Colonel Thomas E. Johnson, Sr., in 2012; and sisters Gwendolyn (1978), Joyce (2008), and Lolita (2019); and brother Bobby (2017).

This Celebration of Life honors a woman who taught with her heart, served with humility, and loved through action. Canta Yvonne Smith Johnson’s legacy lives on in every child she uplifted, every family she strengthened, and every soul she fed both spiritually and literally.

In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations to the Alzheimer' Association. https://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNTTMPHCMC?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_bing_SL&msclkid=abab8c61c5a1129822c5e538590e4a37

You can watch this service livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/live/c76k8J2Rplo