Mrs. Leona (Ballinger) Johnson was born December 30, 1939 in Montgomery, West Virginia to the late Richard Ballinger and Rosetta Mayfield Ballinger.

She transitioned peacefully Wednesday, February 12, 2025 with a sendoff celebration at her bedside surrounded by immediate family, relatives and church clergy. All while listening to Gospel and Blues music, stories that walked down memory lane and fervent prayers and love.

She joined all six of her siblings, Leana, Clara, Frances, John T., Robert and Nathaniel.

She leaves in this current life, her loving husband of 61 years Mr. Hiwatha Johnson, two children Elizabeth & Franklin, along with four grandchildren, Lyisha, Kiyonna, Steven and Akeem; six great-grandchildren Tiffany, Ka’Cee, Jermaine, Ja’mir, Breckyn, Draesyn, her favorite first cousin Ann Mayfield-Toney of Beckley, West Virginia. A host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends.

Leonna was a beautiful woman, devoted housewife and mother. She enjoyed volunteering, giving her time and effort to help with many organizations, assisting at Carlson school, addressing the needs in her community and helping her neighbors.

An active participant in the Women’s Day programs, and many other events at her home church, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.  A child of God with an unshakeable faith in the Lord, she studied the word and every Sunday watched her gospel ministries. She loved her red rose garden, watching Saturday night wrestling, soap operas, music, cheesecake and macaroni and cheese, her favorite longtime fragrance was Jean Nate’. If you compare Mrs. Johnsons’ heart and a feather, her heart was lighter than the feather, she left a positive image, spirit, and energy with EVERYONE she met. She was Mr. Johnson’s “Sweetie” and “a lil cutie”.