Barbara Ann Johnson's Obituary
Barbara Ann Johnson affectionately known as “Smokie” graced this world with a spirit that was caring, loving and larger than life. Barbara was born at home unto the union of Cleze Moore and Roosevelt Johnson in Mer Rouge, LA on December 31st1946.
Barbara was the 4th child of 8 and was always surrounded by family and the village. Barbara Ann was introduced to Christ at an early age and raved about being baptized in the river. Barbara would always reflect on life in the Jim Crow south and express her deep appreciation for her mother who worked hard to relocate her family to California for better opportunities and safety.
After originally landing in West Oakland, California the family expeditiously moved to Berkeley, Ca following the discovery of a snake in their toilet. It was there that Barbara attended schools within the Berkeley Unified School district and grew to love her new city and life far from the Bayou.
A woman of many passions, Barbara began helping with the family business at age 14 where she waited tables and tended bar. The businesses allowed the family to spend a great deal of time together while earning a living, eventually leading them to own and operate a few local bars in Oakland. Even after those businesses closed, Smokie kept her hustle strong. She continued to lend her talents to the community by tending bar at many of the “happening” clubs in the area. Barbara was also an airline stewardess for many years and truly loved traveling the world, right up until she found out she was pregnant with her beloved son Dilone Richard. For the past 25+ years, Barbara found deep joy in her work with seniors at STAGEBRIDGE where she has been the cornerstone of Stagebridge’s artistic life and community impact. Her leadership, creativity and profound commitment to older adult voices have helped shape the organization’s identity and helped generations of storytellers find their place on stage.
She was someone who truly loved the arts, frequently attending comedy shows, boxing matches and musical concerts. In recent years, she especially adored the soulful sounds of October London and found simple pleasure in traveling, gardening, supporting her grandkids’ activities, working the door at Lakeside Lounge and sharing libations and laughter with her dear family and friends. Feeding people was one of her primary love languages; her kitchen was a place of comfort and connection, famous for her legendary fried chicken, cornbread, potato salad and sweet potato pies.
Above all, Barbara’s greatest pride and joy was her only son, Dilone Richard who blessed her with two beautiful grandchildren, Marlee and Lawrence Richard and the daughter she never had Chantal Dyer Richard. She loved them more than she loved herself, showing up for them in every way every single day with unwavering devotion and a joke ready to spark a smile. To her family, she was a protector, a comedian, a nurturer and a guiding light.
Barbara’s love extended far beyond her family- she poured it generously into her community, her friends and anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and generosity. Her community will miss her kindness sharp wit, her jokes and the way she made everyone seen and cared for. Most of all we will miss the beautiful, sweet, feisty, fierce woman who gave so much of herself to the world.
Her spirit lives on in every life she touched, and her memory will continue to be a blessing.
Barbara gained her wings and was received in God’s grace on Tuesday, April 7th 2026 with her son by her side and was preceded in death by her parents Cleze Moore and Roosevelt Johnson, her brothers Curtis Gordon and Clarence Jones and her sister Louise Minneweather. Barbara leaves to cherish her memories, her only son Dilone Richard, her grand children Marlee and Lawrence Richard, her brothers Charles Johnson and Dwaine Dunmore, her sisters JoAnn Printers and Sheila Dunmore and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends that love her immensely.
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