Robert Keith Johnson was born on January 30, 1959, to Mr. Robert Lee Johnson and Jessie Lee Robbins. At a young age, he learned to ride horses, sing and dance. He was just a good “ole” country boy. He graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, where he was a swimmer and photographer. After graduation, Keith attended Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.
He started his career at the Charlotte Housing Authority as a Drug & Alcohol prevention counselor, where he developed his love for helping young adults and youth to become more than their physical environment. He worked tirelessly as a street minister, speaking the word of God to those who would listen. Keith took care of his family by also washing cars and performing small house repairs.
He met Jennifer Jefferson, and his first daughter, JeKeita, was born. He married Janie Mae Jennings, and to this union, five children, Erica, Krystal, Janie, Keith, and Bryan Johnson, were born. In 2004, his wife Janie passed away, and Keith took on the sole responsibility of raising his children by modeling the love of Christ, his church family, evangelism, selflessness, and standing in the gap for those in need.
In adulthood, Keith attended the Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, where he served as a Boy Scout Leader, sang in the Sanctuary, Men and A.M.E.N Choirs, served in the Prison Ministry, the Substance Abuse Ministry, and other outreach ministries under the leadership of Dr. Dwayne A. Walker, Pastor. Little Rock is also where he met and married Latish Cummings-Johnson.
Robert Keith was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Johnson, and sister, Brenda Polk. He departed this life on earth on October 17, 2023, and leaves behind many fond memories to be cherished by his mother, Mrs. Jessie Foster of Monroe, NC, his sister Linda Sellers, his children JeKeita Jefferson (Nate), Erica Dunlap (Karl), Krystal Green, Janie Washington (Jamal), Keith Johnson (Martika), Brian Johnson (Justice); his grandchildren JaMya, Arrianna, Jacoby, Jamaal Jr., Jael, Kimora, Skylar, Isaiah, Payton, Sebastian and JaNie; his nieces, nephews, aunts uncles, cousins, lifelong friends, colleagues, mentees, choir members and horse-riding community. Last but not least, he leaves Della Little and his dog Brownie, who served as a beacon of light in his final days.
