Karyn F. Johnson was born on April 30, 1947, to Ruvina and Earl Smith in Philadelphia, PA. She was educated in the Philadelphia school system, attending Emlen Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and Germantown High School. Karyn later attended Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV, and then Antioch University in Philadelphia.
She met the love of her life, Norman Lavelle Johnson, also of Philadelphia, when they were teenagers, and they became life partners. Karyn became an early childhood development teacher specializing in children with special needs. Her skills helped many children, and she shared her love across all age groups. Her career included positions with the Veterans Administration, Philadelphia Electric Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Charles Drew Center, Frankie's World, and then the CHANCES social program. She also volunteered at Project Learn School, which her children and grandchildren had previously attended.
Karyn and Norman traveled on family vacations to many destinations, including California, Arizona, New Orleans, National Harbor MD, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Alaska, and her favorite place, Egypt. In Egypt, they cruised the Nile and walked among the pyramids. She also attended funeral director conventions with Norman and camped with the family in her younger years.
As a teenager and later as a grandmother, she rode motorcycles with Norman. Her most challenging trips were to Atlanta, GA, and North Carolina, sometimes in the rain and while soaking wet. Karyn never complained.
Karyn’s hobbies included playing word games and Scrabble, cooking, studying wildlife such as elephants and whales, spending time near bodies of water such as the ocean, and attending concerts. Her favorite band was Earth, Wind & Fire, whose music she danced to for years.
Karyn and Norman celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 4, 2026. They married in North Carolina but returned to Philadelphia to raise their family.
Karyn is survived by her husband, Norman L. Johnson; daughter, Staci L. Johnson; son, Jason L. Johnson; brother, Kymm Smith; sister-in-law, Elaine Jones; grandchildren, Amhaad L. Johnson Robinson, Akayla L. Johnson Robinson, Aaliyah L. Johnson Robinson, Alaizsha Sterling, Zikeya Jenkins, Shemika Smith, Aisha Jenkins, Ebony Williams, Hawanyaa Nelson, and Atiya Nelson; nieces, Dana Jones Robinson, Chanda L. Jones, Kia L. Jones, and Becky Walden; and two great-grandchildren, Carter L. Johnson and Luna M. Johnson. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service celebrating Karyn's life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Dupree Funeral Home, 2809 Diamond Street Philadelphia, PA 19121. Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the funeral home from 1:00 - 2:00pm on Saturday and are encouraged to wear purple.