Rachel Johnson

Rachel Janelle Johnson was born on August 2nd in Wichita, Kansas, to Richard and Yvonne Johnson. She passed away in her hometown of Wichita on September 28th, 2025.
Rachel was a true fashionista at heart, confident, creative, and always ahead of the curve. From a young age, Rachel was joyful and loving. She loved the arts and participated in tap, ballet, and jazz dance. She played the violin, was an excellent swimmer, and even competed on her school's swim team at Heights High School. But, as she would tell it, once swimming began to affect her hair, she decided to trade in the swim cap for eyeliner.
She attended Northeast Magnet High School, where she entered the law program. At Northeast Magnet, her natural ability to debate truly flourished. Anyone who knew her knew that if you tried to argue with Rachel, you better be ready - because she could "debate the mess out of you," and usually win unless your name was Aaron, her little brother.
Family meant everything to Rachel. As a sister, she was fiercely loyal and the protector who always showed up. She loved he siblings deeply and made sure they knew she had their back no matter what. Her motto was, "I can pick on my siblings, but don't think you can - or I'll pull up." She adored her nephew, Anthony, spoiling him whenever she could and declaring, "It's Auntie time!" On August 14th, 2004, Rachel welcomed her greatest joy into the world, her beautiful daughter, Aniya Day. Motherhood became her most cherished role. Rachel always said, "Having a child is God's gift." She poured her heart into making every moment with Aniya special, from school events to birthdays. And when August came around, it wasn't just Leo season - it was Rachel's season. She and Aniya loved collaborating on birthday themes and fashion-forward looks. Think Vogue Look Book- that was Rachel.
Rachel's faith was an important part of her journey. She grew up attending St. Luke C.O.G.I.C. and Grove Heights SDA Church, and later, she and Aniya became members of Dellrose United Methodist Church, where she continued to grow spiritually and serve her community.
As an adult, Rachel embodied strength, perseverance, and grace. She worked tirelessly through every challenge life presented to her. She earned both her bachelor's degree in Social Work and her master's degree in Addiction Counseling from Newman University - all while raising her daughter, Aniya.
Her life was cut short one day shy of achieving one of her most significant accomplishment: passing her clinical license test from the BSRB, a milestone she had worked toward for over ten years. Through every trial, Rachel held tightly to Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
From 2009 to 2015, Rachel worked in addiction services, followed by home health and hospice care from 2017 to 2023. Most recently, she was a cognitive behavioral therapist - known for being positive, straightforward, and deeply dedicated to her clients. Her approach to "talk therapy" reflected who she was: honest, insightful, and full of heart.
Rachel's creativity was radiant everywhere she went. Rachel had many passions outside of work. She loved watching Fashion Week. She recently became a huge fan of the Detroit Lions. She was a proud plant enthusiast who filled her home with greenery - her personal spa and greenhouse. She loved art, especially abstract expressionism, and admired artists like Jackson Pollock, whose energy inspired her own weekend craft projects. You could often find her painting, creating, or listening to an audiobook or some smooth contemporary jazz, particularly Masego, playing in the background.
In closing, Rachel lived by the words of her favorite quote from undergrad: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Rachel, your light, strength, and style will forever live on in the hearts of those who love you. Soremember to hold on to God's unchanging hands.
Rachel is survived by her daughter, Aniya Day; parents, Richard Johnson and Yvonne Johnson; siblings, Erica Arinwine (Michael, brother-in-law), Aaron Johnson (Natasha, sister-in-law); and nephew, Anthony Arinwine.
She is preceded in death by grandparents Wilber P. and Bernice Johnson, Alfred and Joslyn McLeod; aunts and uncles; Mae T. Hoy, Oretha Anderson, Irene Harris, Theresa Carter, Raymond Johnson, and Steve Wayne Johnson.
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