Tamyra Johnson was born on October 20, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois to Steven and Yvonne (Ainsworth) Cummings. She confessed a faith in Christ at an early age. Tamyra attended Riis Elementary School and Fenger High School. During high school, she participated in the Phorex society. Members received a gold pin that symbolized academic excellence. Membership was contingent upon receiving all E grades (today’s A grades) in major classes and no less than G grades (today’s B grades) in minor classes. Tamyra was a part of the Program Committee, Glee Club and Glee Club Ensemble, GAA and Rep., and a Career Day Aide. Tamyra was in the Pan American Club, for students who were in Spanish 5 or higher. The Pan American Club performed skits in Spanish. Tamyra was in the Drama Club, Library Club, and the Study Library. She also served as a Hall guard. Tamyra graduated from Fenger in 1958.
On May 20, 1960, Tamyra was initiated into the Beta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Tamyra became a member of a group called Les Compagnons. She met Edward Johnson, another member, through the club. They married on October 22, 1961. To this union, three children were born: Brian Edward, Jeffrey Steven, and Matthew Todd Johnson.
Tamyra attended DePaul University and received a Certificate in Secretarial Science on February 10, 1963. She continued her studies at Governors State University. Tamyra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Education, with emphasis in Urban Business Teacher Education, on April 27, 1977. She became a charter member of the Lambda Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on February 26, 1978.
Tamyra worked as an elementary school teacher at Hickory School (now Coretta Scott King) in University Park, Illinois. She also briefly worked at Governors State University. Tamyra spent most of her career at the United States Post Office, where she was promoted to Supervisor. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Governors State University on December 14, 1985, while employed at the post office.
Tamyra loved to sing karaoke. Her favorite song was Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” She was a soprano. Tamyra always loved to dance. She inherited her love of dance from her mother, Yvonne. In Tammy’s childhood years, she participated in dance recitals. As an adult, she regularly participated in square dancing and line dancing. She even once attended an African dance class. Tamyra loved dancing at balls, family reunions and parties. She loved going to the movies with her husband or with friends. Tamyra loved having family and friends over to the house on holidays and other special occasions. She enjoyed supporting her grandchildren’s fine arts programs. Tamyra loved traveling. Those trips included camping with her husband, children, and mother. She enjoyed Wisconsin trips with her husband, children, grandchildren, brother, niece, and nephews. When her grandchildren visited, she loved to play cards with them. Tamyra went on annual trips with her children and grandchildren to the Cummings Family Reunions.
Tamyra gained her wings on July 5, 2022, at 5:30 pm. Her parents, Steven Cummings, Yvonne Louise (Ainsworth) Cummings, brother, Steven Cummings, and husband, Edward James Johnson, preceded her in eternity. Tamyra leaves to cherish her memory, her sons: Brian Edward, Jeffrey Steven (Daphne) and Matthew Todd Johnson, daughter-in-law Huma Johnson, grandchildren Rashundra Sharva, Shiwona Nicole and Alonzo Devon (Dana) Hoover, Jeffrey, Julian, Destiny and Fauzia Johnson, great-grandchildren Kameron Khaliel and Kennedy Hawk, Havana and Hayley Patrick, Alonzo, Adrien, and Austin Hoover, nephew Rodney (Karen) Cummings, niece Stacy Cummings, and a host of cousins, grand nephews, grand nieces, and friends.