In loving memory of Tiffany Johnson -
On Sunday, December 10th 2000 Life Christian faculty member, Ms. Tiffany Johnson was suddenly taken home. Tiffany was just in her second year as a middle school teacher but our students and faculty grieve deeply the loss of a wonderful, gentle woman of God.
Tiffany saw herself as a servant and a minister of the love of Jesus Christ. She was an excellent teacher with a pure heart able to love her students unconditionally - and middle school students responded to this love. Students would stop by after school just to “hang out” with her. Middle school students found an advocate in Tiffany and knew with her they were accepted and safe. Our students responded to her love by feeling free to tease and laugh with her as well as share their hurts.
There is no understanding the home going of a young woman like Tiffany. Yet we rest in the knowledge that God is a good God with the heart of a compassionate father. For many of our students this is the first time they have experienced the death of someone they love. They are learning that with God they can get through the worst thing imaginable. This is a hard lesson to learn when you’re young, but for those who find God’s comfort as they walk through this, their faith will become unshakable. We all get caught up in the things of this world that are not important. When someone we love is taken we painfully remember that life is about relationships. Tiffany was such a humble woman I know she would never believe how much she impacted all our lives. We all underestimate the power of unconditional love offered from a pure heart.
Robbie Norris, 7th grade, “She was the best teacher I ever had. I know I got on her nerves but she always had a smile on her face. She didn’t let anyone know when she was down.”
Lauren Barnhart, 8th grade, “Ms. Johnson was very forgiving. She would always listen to me. She’s the only teacher who cared about the reasons my homework was late.”
Jamie Scott, 8th grade, “She never criticized me! I knew she loved me. She laughed onetime at my snowsuit and that made me laugh. But she never criticized it!”
Jeneca Dovey, 8th grade. “I ran into her one time and she knew my name. I never even had her as a teacher. I always wondered why she would know me.”
Laurie Deccio, 8th grade. “She was a really cool teacher with a great personality.”
Mr. Chatman, Middle School Principal. “When I first met Tiffany at the Career Fair I knew I wanted her here at Life Christian. She was a gentle, kind person committed to always doing the right thing. She was dedicated to these children and always watching out for them.”
Georgina Harris, School Counselor. “Kids need to know that they are loved unconditionally. The students knew they had found someone that believed in them and looked into their hearts and saw the best.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family and all of her loving
friends.