Johnnie Mae Fant

Johnnie Mae Fant transitioned to her forever home on January 15, 2023, at the age of 90.  The daughter of the late John Henry and Gaither Oliver Johnson.  A native of Anderson, South Carolina, Johnnie, the 3rd eldest child, began raising her siblings at the age of 10 ½ after her mother passed away.   At the age of 26, Johnnie married James Andrew Fant, who preceded her in death, and spent many years traveling the world as a military wife. 

As a wife of a retired soldier, Johnnie spent most of her time living in Colorado, Springs, CO, where she graduated from the Olympic Beauty Academy in Colorado Springs, a year after graduating, Johnnie, with the support of her husband James, opened Cleopatra’s Beauty Salon.  Johnnie opened the salon with the desire to, “care for the needs of her clients and serve as a role model for young people who aspire to make careers in business.” Always striving to reach new heights and help as many people as possible.  Johnnie opened the first black-owned beauty school in Colorado Springs, Cleopatra’s Beauty College in the early 1980s with decades of success.

Very active in the community as well, Johnnie serves on the board of Peak Vista Community Health Center’s legislative and development committees. She was a part of the Bright Beginnings program and volunteers for the First Visitor program for new parents. Johnnie was also a mentor with Liza’s Place, a member of True Spirit Baptist Church and served in the Women’s Ministry, the Women’s Choir, and the Mother’s Board. She was also a member of the Angel Network of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a committee member of People for Justice, and the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP.

Johnnie is survived by her sons, Randy (Donna) Fant, Keith (Lucy) Fant and bonus daughter, Barbara Ellis; her only surviving sibling, Elizabeth (Willie) McDuffie; grandchildren: Terry, Gwendolyn, Bianca, Keiron, Rashard, Tyesha, Tionna, Devonte and Erick; 6 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Marcell (Mary) Fant; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Johnson and Nellie Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Johnnie was preceded in death by siblings, Ulysses Johnson, Lynell Johnson, Jhue Johnson, Mary Ann Johnson and Frances Johnson Rice.

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