Kashawn Pierre Johnson

Kashawn Pierre Johnson, born February 21, 2004, was a gift from the day he was born. He was birthed on the same day as his grandmother, April. As a child, Kashawn was full of energy, laughter, smiles, hugs and silliness. When he was just three years old he taught himself to swim in the deep end and ride a bike with no training wheels. Despite tragically losing his father at the age of three, Kashawn continued to grow in love and have a profound enthusiasm for life.
Throughout his childhood, Kashawn enjoyed playing youth basketball and football with his friends and cousins in Binghamton, NY. Kashawn may have had no biological siblings, but his cousins were his brothers. His entire childhood was about play. He would come in the house exhausted after a full day of nerf guns, beyblades, and man hunt. I would even find rollie pollie bugs in his pockets. Kashawn made new friends everyday. He was a best friend to many. This allowed him to thrive in school at St. John's in Binghamton, NY.
When we moved to North Carolina, Kashawn quickly became the neighborhood kid everyone flocked to. All the kids loved to come hang out with him. Kashawn attended Piedmont Middle School and developed even more very close friends. These friendships thrived through Kashawn's last moments here with us.
To know Kashawn was to know someone who exemplified genuineness in a friendship. He was funny, he was handsome, and he was intelligent. He was quite witty, and a tad bit sarcastic. Kashawn was always smiling and always being silly. He was constantly dancing even though he lacked any sense of rhythm. He was also gentle and humble. He knew how to speak positivity into other children and was often a voice of reason. Kashawn had a special gift, he knew how to make those who often felt left out, feel like they had a best friend in him. He was a leader. He fought for the underdog, and would not stand by and allow others to be mistreated. He even voiced his opinion regarding our house pet's equality even if it was his dog always giving me the hardest of times. He really loved both of our dogs - and they sure loved him.
As a teenager Kashawn mostly enjoyed playing video games with his cousins and middle school friends, trips to Carowinds, family vacations, and playing basketball. He recently learned how to drive and also graduated high school ahead of his class through the International Baccalaureate Program. Kashawn helped the less fortunate in the community and participated in many outreach events. Young or old, Kashawn would embrace everyone. He was wise beyond his years. He was a light that will continue to shine until we are graced with his presence yet again.
Kashawn was predeceased by his father, Don Pierre Johnson, and his great grandmother Dorthy Witt. He is survived by his mother, Tianna Nelson, his great grandmother, Anne Marie Chapman, and grandparents, Wayne & Yvette Nelson, and April Whitt, & Don Johnson. Kashawn is also survived by his aunts, Jasmine Nelson, Disheema & Shaniya Chambers, and cousins, Jaylei Mayes, Matthew Brown, Tanza Irving, Jo-Jo Hopkins,Elijah Campbell, Quadenia Watts, Josiah Foster, Jah-sai Lewis, Angela, Marela, Rena and Nair Mack, Thawasi Taylor, Nikio Cousart, Paris Taylor, and an exuberant amount of close friends and family - Piedmont, You Know!