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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Joyce 1
Laverne Johnson. 2
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was born on February 27, 1961, to Emma Jean 3
Johnson and Ivory Joseph Breaux; and 4
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson embraced life with a passion, meeting each 5
day with open arms and an unwavering expectation of good. Her resilience and strength 6
of character steadied her through every challenge. She moved through the world with a 7
remarkable and unique synchronicity; and 8
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was a natural connector who brought people 9
together, sparked ideas, and guided both toward positive action and goodwill within the 10
community. Diversity, equit y, and inclusion were not just ideals that she simply 11
supported, they were the way she lived her life. Her wide and eclectic circle of friends 12
reflected this deep commitment; and 13
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was also a historian at heart. More than a 14
decade ago she created the Facebook page, "Help Identify Kentucky African American 15
Friends and Family," which has grown to more than 2,500 members. Her work has 16
illuminated important people, stories, and events, and was pivotal in preserving and 17
uplifting the rich culture of the African American community in Lexington and beyond; 18
and 19
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was a devoted student of genealogy. She 20
followed leads and uncovered connections that helped families hungry to understand their 21
ancestry. Through t his work, she connected people and linked them to the stories that 22
shaped their family histories; and 23
WHEREAS, through her photography, Joyce Laverne Johnson documented current 24
events, special gatherings, businesses, and places of interest. Her attentive l ens often 25
brought visibility and recognition to people and spaces that might otherwise have gone 26
unnoticed; and 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1540
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WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was a lover of all animals, not just the cute and 1
cuddly ones. She had a tender heart for all living creatures an d did all she could to care 2
for them; and 3
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2025, Joyce Laverne Johnson peacefully and 4
comfortably entered eternity; and 5
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was preceded in death by her parents, her 6
sister Bobbie L. Edwards, and her brother, Gary Johnson; and 7
WHEREAS, Joyce Laverne Johnson was deeply loved and respected by all who 8
knew her. She will be profoundly missed in Lexing ton, across this great Commonwealth, 9
and beyond; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, 11
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 12
Kentucky: 13
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its most profound sympathy upon the 14
passing of Joyce Laverne Johnson. 15
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 16
memory of Joyce Laverne Johnson. 17
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 18
Resolution to Senator Reginald Thomas for delivery to the family. 19