Lovena Lynn Johnson

Lovena Lynn (Skinner) Johnson, 65, of Hammond, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on March 10, 2026, in Robinson, Illinois. Born on July 8, 1960, in Hammond, she was a woman of strong opinions and a larger-than-life presence whose vibrant personality could light up any room. Known to many as a true firecracker, Lovena possessed a fierce will and an equally generous heart. Though she carried heavy burdens that few fully understood, those challenges only deepened her compassion. Selfless and open-hearted, she gave freely to others, often putting their needs before her own, and made sure the people she loved felt that devotion without question.

Family was the center of Lovena’s world. She held a special fondness for her great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as her friends’ children and grandchildren, loving them as her own. To them she was affectionately known as “Aunt Veenie-Weenie,” a title that captured her warmth and playful spirit. Whether through family ties or her many years of work, Lovena left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She spent years at Howard Cab working for Robert and Karen Eveland, driving taxis, vans for people with disabilities and children, and later serving as a dispatcher. She went on to work as a cashier at Hammond Wal-Mart and at Flex-N-Gate in Chicago. In the final years of her husband Alvin’s life, she stepped away from employment to care for him at home. No matter the role, her presence was memorable.

Lovena had a distinctive, contagious laugh and a smile that lingered in memory. She was the life of every family gathering, equally at ease sharing coffee with elders, laughing with teenagers, or making the youngest children feel seen and loved. Though adaptable and easygoing with people, she was famously particular about her home, taking great pride in keeping it clean and orderly. She preferred hosting others rather than going out, opening her doors where the pool was ready and the grill was hot, creating a warm and welcoming space for those she held dear. For nearly fifteen years, her faithful service dog Bandit was her constant companion, a beloved sidekick who brought her comfort and joy.

Lovena is survived by her uncle, Larry Skinner; her sister, Alice (Skinner) Burkmire; her sister-in-law, Karen (Skinner) Tyree; her nieces and nephews, Jaimee (Skinner) Williams, Melaine Williams, James Skinner, Brittnay Burkmire, Tiffany Burkmire, Robert Jaronski, Jerahmy Rodriguez, Marion (Houx) Sanabria, and Lawrence Houx, Jr.; numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and her special granddaughter, Endya. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orvis Skinner and Gloria (King) Houx; her husband, Alvin Johnson; her daughter, Christina Skinner; her brothers, Thomas Skinner, James Skinner, and Lawrence Houx; and her sisters, Sarah Skinner.