Obituary of Dr. Adrienne Steplight Johnson

Dr. Adrienne Nadine Steplight-Johnson, 65, of Freehold, New Jersey, passed

away on December 23, 2019 after courageously battling a multitude of

illnesses for over a decade.

Adrienne was born the second of six children on September 10, 1954

to Gloria Steplight and the late Nathaniel Steplight in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1973, Adrienne met Michael on the dance floor of a Brooklyn house party

– the beginning of an incredible lifelong and soulful bond. Adrienne and

Michael would marry on June 2, 1975 in a ceremony located in the basement

of the Steplight home in Brooklyn. Out of their love, the couple would go on

to have three beautiful children Kimberly, Justin and Brandon.

Adrienne attended Hunter College (NYC) where she obtained her

Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She then pursued graduate studies and was

the youngest black female admit to Columbia University’s prestigious

Nursing doctoral program (NYC). As a testament to her strength and

fortitude, Adrienne defended her doctoral thesis within weeks of giving birth

to Kimberly! She started her nursing career at the Hospital for Special

Surgery (NYC) where she excelled. Adrienne later transitioned to academia

where she became a respected Assistant Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson

University (New Jersey) and later Rutgers University (New Jersey). As a

prominent thought leader, she shared her expertise and collaborated with

faculty at the Ivy League, University of Pennsylvania.

Adrienne was a force of nature with a vibrant personality and

generous spirit. Her rich and fulfilling life included a close and loving

connection with her children. Adrienne believed in family and loved

gardening with hers as a Mother’s Day tradition. As a former member of the

Board of Education for Freehold Township, she was fiercely passionate about

education. She was an outspoken advocate for social justice work and

demonstrated this commitment through her work with the National

Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Freehold.

Anyone who knew Adrienne knew that she was the most loving

mother and wife for which a family could ask. Adrienne joins her father,

Nathaniel Steplight, her brother, Kevin Steplight, her sister, Yvonne

Steplight and father-in-law, James Johnson in Heaven. She is survived by

her loving husband of 44 years, Dr. Anthony Michael Johnson; daughter,

Kimberly Johnson; son, Justin Johnson and his wife, Irina Johnson along

with their daughters Justina and Valeria; son, Dr. Brandon Johnson and

his wife, Lacie Pierre; her mother, Gloria Steplight; siblings, Janice

Steplight, Oren Steplight and Leneen Steplight-Alston; mother-in-law, Helen

Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and her beloved pets.

The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to Freeman

Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan,

New Jersey 07726, Phone: (732) 972-8484.