Sherikaa "Denise" Johnson, 47, of Topeka, went to be with her Lord on July 16, 2021. She was born July 29, 1973, in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Denise was the eldest child of Stanley Johnson, of Tacoma, Washington, and Marilyn (McLeod) Johnson, of Huntsville, Alabama. She has resided in Kansas for the past 31 years.

Denise attended Carroll High School, in Ozark, Alabama, Wheeler High School, in Marietta, Georgia, and finally, Wichita High School East, in Wichita, Kansas, where she earned her diploma in 1991. Whew, that's a lot of schools. Denise matriculated to Kansas State University. She eventually became an apartment manager and worked at this job for many years until starting work at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant.

Denise was a free spirit, full of life and laughter. She had the best sense of humor and skills on the mic during karaoke night. Denise seriously loved pugs. She lived a short, but full life, demonstrating bravery, strength, and resilience.

Denise is survived by: her four beautiful children, Erica Finney, Erin Crawford, Eric Burson, and Elaina Woodard; two sisters, Sherri Monique Johnson and Samantha Renee Johnson, both of Huntsville, Alabama; and a host of family and honorary friends, who cared for her until the end.