Zella "Lou" Johnson

Zella "Lou" Johnson, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on March 10, 2026. Born on December 31, 1932, in Windsor, Missouri, Lou lived a full and spirited life for 93 years.

A graduate of Windsor High School in 1950, Lou was known for her beautiful laugh and spunky personality. She spoke with straightforward honesty and lived with remarkable independence and resilience. Lou found joy in cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, watching the Hallmark Channel, sewing pillows and blankets, reading romance novels, and dancing whenever the opportunity arose. Above all, she showed deep thoughtfulness through her cherished tradition of sending cards for every occasion—birthdays, holidays, milestones, and simple thank-yous—bringing warmth and connection to those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Ethel Freeman; her husband, Emmett Junior Johnson; and her son, Terry Wayne Johnson. Lou is survived by her daughter, Quintah Mann; her grandchildren, Stacey Ramel (Michael), Amber Mann, and Holli Combs; her great-grandchildren, Zoey Ramel, Karis Ramel, and Lexie Monterrosa; her sister, Sandra Kay Miller; and many nieces and nephews.