LaNita L. Johnson

LaNita accepted Christ at a young age under the direction of her grandfather, the late Bishop J.A. Young at Bethel C.O.G.I.C.

LaNita began her education at Bishop Elementary school. She attended MacArthur junior high and MacArthur high school where she enjoyed cheering. LaNita graduated from MacArthur High School in 1975. During the summer LaNita enjoyed working with Upward Bound in Weatherford, OK. She attended college at Cameron University, Langston University, and received her Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond in 1996.

She enjoyed shopping, traveling, and singing. She also liked playing volleyball, playing piano, and playing the organ. She was a phenomenal woman who enjoyed her family and friends.

In 1978 LaNita married Miran Johnson. To this union two children were born, Melody LaToya Rose and Miran Earl Johnson, Jr. After marriage, she relocated to Oklahoma City. LaNita began her working career with Oklahoma City Public Schools in 1979. Miss Johnson worked in the Oklahoma City public school system for 32 years.

Lanita was a virtuous woman. During her stay in Oklahoma City she attended church at Zion Temple COGIC under the leadership of Supt. WC Bradley. In 1995, Lanita was installed District Missionary for the South East Jurisdiction. She served vigorously for seven years, resuming her duty in 2002. Her husband, Pastor Miran Johnson Sr., was installed as Pastor in 2005. She stood by her husband as first lady and church musician. In 2005 she began her service as District Missionary for Bird Memorial District under Supt. Dennis D Riley. She served graciously until her health gradually declined in 2016.

Often times we wondered how her cup was filled with unconditional love for others. She was a magnificent grandmother to her two grandchildren, Tyreona and Tyrek.

LaNita was preceded in death by her grandparents Hester and Samantha Miller Mackie and Allie Gaines, and Margaret and Bishop JA Young, her parents Willie and Nona Toy Gaines and mother-in-law Missionary Rosemary Bradley, and her beloved son Miran Earl Johnson, Jr known by loved ones as Big Boy.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband of 38 years Miran Earl Johnson, Sr., her beautiful daughter Melody LaToya Rose Johnson, her three sisters Linda Kay White (Walter), Lois M Gaines, Jessica M Gaines, 3 brothers Willie Gaines Jr. (Janice), Darryl E Gaines, Robert D Gaines. She also leaves a special family daughter, Keima Dean-Thompson. LaNita is remembered in the hearts of a multitude of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, her godson Michael E. Johnson and two special friends Dorothy Greer and Rochelle Jones.