On Tuesday, August 16th, Sylvia Johnson passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 64 years old. Sylvia was born on July 26th, 1958, in Florala, Alabama to the late Mary Francis (Smith) Cyrus and Curtis Haynes. Her family moved to Linden, NJ when she was 10 years old.  She graduated from Linden High School in 1976 and went on to receive her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Berkeley College in White Plains, NY.  Sylvia began her career at the Union County Prosecutor's Office, where she worked as a notary and legal secretary. In 1985, she married Byron Johnson and from this union they brought forth to this world one daughter, Shantel Simone Johnson. In 1989, she began a long career as an office manager with the law firm, Schiller, Squeo and Hartnett, which would eventually merge with Connell Foley. She stayed with the firm until she stopped working in 2009.

Sylvia was known by many for her sass,humor, generosity, and nurturing nature. Though she only had one child,she was a mother to so many more. She had a regal presence that belied her diminutive stature. Sylvia loved  to cook and was a consummate host; her home had an open door policy to those she loved and she was always happy to invite everyone over for a meal,conversation and a good time; her home was a safe haven to anyone who crossed the threshold . She also grew a bevy of plants and was an expert seamstress; her curtains were home made, her furniture reupholstered by her own hand. Sylvia ensured that her home reflected the same attention to detail and care that she poured onto others. She was always there to give a word of advice, comfort, or joke. She was an invaluable gift to anyone lucky enough to experience her and she will be sorely missed. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, Shantel Simone Johnson. Siblings-her sister, Dr. Gretchen Haynes Carter, brother Harold Tyrone Haynes and brother Jake Haynes. Grandchildren- Layla Lee Doss, Aaron Lee Doss, Jasmine Dominique Bartell, Tiffany Simone Sampson, Danielle Latrece Sampson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Saturday, August 27, 2022 in the Leonard-Lee Funeral Home, 301 E. Blancke Street from 11am to 1pm. Final disposition will be private.