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![Dr. Adrienne Johnson](/tribute-images/7642/Ultra/Dr-Adrienne-Johnson.jpg)
Visitation
Funeral Service
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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.