Cynthia L. Johnson

Cynthia Lorraine Newman Johnson, age 66, a 20 year resident of Bowie, MD, found peace in the Lord on December 6, 2017. Cynthia was born on January 3, 1951 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated from Robert G. Coles H.S. in San Antonio Texas in 1969 and continued her studies at San Antonio Junior College with her major being Sociology.

Cynthia worked for Capitol Films as a computer operator in 1971, before becoming a Service Coordinator for the ARC of Prince Georges County Maryland in 1974, and later becoming Service Coordinator for Infants and Toddlers for the ARC of Montgomery County in Maryland.

Cynthia devoted her life to advocating and supporting people with developmental disabilities. As a parent advocate, she mentored and supported countless parents of children with special needs and gifts. She served on numerous Maryland State policy and advisory committees, where she educated state officials on how to support people with development disabilities in their community. In 1999, she was appointed to the Maryland State Advisory Council on Individuals with Disabilities (MACID), and was an invited guest at the White House by the Clinton Administration for the celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inspired by her vision for her daughter, Kelley, she created KelleyWorks, LLC in 2009 where she continued her advocacy work of providing family-centered supports and services for children and adults with Developmental Disabilities in Prince George and surrounding Maryland counties. Cynthia served as an advocate for disability rights for over 36 years.

Cynthia is survived by her Daughter Kelley Renee Johnson of Bowie, MD, her nephew-son Sean Newman of Bowie, MD; her siblings: Anthony, Celeste, Darryl, Denise, Herman, Kevin, Lisa, Michael, Robert and Valerie, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

The family invites you to a Celebration of Cynthia’s Life to be held on Saturday, December 16th at 12 Noon at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home 16000 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715.