Joanne Avant

JoAnne Estelle Johnson Avant (“Auntie Jo”) was born at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, on June 15, 1957, to the late Donald and Magnolia Johnson. She passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. JoAnne was 69 years old.

“Auntie Jo,” as she was affectionately called by her family, was raised in Metuchen with her brothers Kevin and Brian and her sister Kathy. JoAnne loved family outings, where they visited Wildwood, went to the movies, bowling, and roller skating; however, singing became one of her favorite pastimes and greatest passions. JoAnne was blessed with the voice of an angel.

She became a member of New Hope Baptist Church as a young child. It was in this church that she accepted Christ and was baptized. JoAnne was a member of the choir, and there she began to nurture that love.

JoAnne was educated in the Metuchen School System. She graduated from Metuchen High School in 1975. She attended Middlesex County College for a while and began working shortly thereafter.

She went to a dance and acting school in New York. She enjoyed acting and was seen several times in the Plays in the Park in Roosevelt Park in Edison, NJ.

JoAnne became part of a group who visited the White House and sang for President Clinton. Throughout her career, JoAnne sang with artists such as Ernie Scott, her friend Flo, Ivy Gash, and others. She also held concerts at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen called JoAnne and Friends. Back in the day, she recorded a 45rpm record and, most recently, recorded two CDs — one of which was a Christmas album she was thrilled about. You can continue listening to her melodic voice by searching “JoAnne Avant” on YouTube.

JoAnne had a deep love for God, her family, her nieces, her nephews, her goddaughter, her friends, her coworkers, and the patients she served.

She later became a member of Faith Fellowship Church in Sayreville, NJ.

JoAnne worked at WhiteWestinghouse in Edison, NJ, for over twenty years. She then became employed at Dr. Stephen Gordon’s ophthalmology office in Highland Park, NJ for an additional twentyplus years.

Everywhere she went, JoAnne’s vibrant personality preceded her, and she gained many friends and admirers throughout the years.

Before moving back to Highland Park in January, after her leg amputation, JoAnne spent a few years in the Venetian Care & Rehabilitation Center. She amazed everyone as she entered their talent shows and belted out “God Bless the Child That’s Got His Own,” among other songs. She was truly a star!

She leaves to cherish her memory: her sister, Kathleen Johnson of Highland Park, NJ; her brother, Brian Johnson of South Carolina; her brother, Kevin Johnson of California; her niece, Dianna Johnson (Kevin) of East Orange, NJ; her greatnephew, Kai; her nephew, Dyshon Johnson (Ernestine) of Edison, NJ; her greatniece, Iyana; her greatniece, Ariana; her greatnephew, Jhasir; her niece, Briana of South Carolina; her greatniece, Zoya; her nephew, Bryson of South Carolina; her goddaughter, Randi Brockman Lyons (Shawn) of Perth Amboy, NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, and loved ones.