LA'RHEA CRISS-JOHNSON

La Rhea Donette Criss-Johnson, a Dallas Texas native, was born November 14, 1965, to the late Ocie Pinson and Nomoree Ward. La Rhea Criss accepted Christ at an early age and grew up in church singing and playing the piano throughout Dallas, Texas. As a young adult, La Rhea was a member of the True Love Church under the leadership of Pastor M. E. Sargent. La Rhea was also a dedicated member of the Potter’s House Dallas (Bishop T.D. Jakes), where she attended for many years. La Rhea later joined the Greater New Mt. Hermon Baptist Church lead by Pastor Jack Criss, Sr., which she was a member until her transition. She graduated from David W. Carter High School in 1984 and was a shining star and a dedicated citizen of the Oak Cliff Community.

La Rhea met and married Rev. Jack Criss, Sr. whom she loved with all her heart in 1983 and to that union three beautiful children were born, RaChel Donnette, Jack Jr., and Jeniffer Lauren. In 2005, La Rhea married her sweetheart, Floyd Douglas Johnson, who lovingly took care of her until her final days on earth. La Rhea and Floyd have been a staple to the Criss family since the very beginning of their union.

With all three children heavily into sports during their adolescence years, La Rhea was a cherished member in the Oak Cliff Redskins Little League community. A dedicated football and cheer mom, La Rhea soon gained countless children who affectionately refer to her as “Mama Criss,” even today. As her children grew older, she became heavily involved in their high school careers, at David W. Carter High School and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. It was during this time that La Rhea made her greatest mark on the world and in her community.

La Rhea was not only a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, football and cheer mom, track mom, and performing arts mom, but she was a professional singer in her own right. She was an incredibly proud member of Dallas’ own, Elbert Taylor and 3D as well as a member of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Choir (Curtis L. King). She was also a highly sought-after hairstylist for many years and made life long friendships as a result.

La Rhea deeply loved and respected her family and will truly be missed. She is preceded in death by her father, Ocie Pinson. Left to cherish her memories and carry on her legacy: husband, Floyd Johnson; mom, Nomoree Price; her beautiful children, RaChel Halton (Pastor Marcus Sr.), Jack Criss Jr., and Jeniffer Criss Williams (Clifton); her precious grandchildren, Audricke Gaines, Nevaeh T. Gaines, Ramses D. Halton, Isis J. Halton, Michelle D. Halton, and Marcus D. Halton II; Jaci L. Criss; Kyra J. Williams, Elle La Rhea (“Ella Rhea”); and one great grandchild, Kynlea Gaines; sister, Cassandra Ward and brother, Roderick Carr; brother, Terrace Henderson; sister, Karen Spikes; brother Michael Anderson; sister, Arebia Dotie; brother, Steve Pinson; brother, Troy Taylor; brother Tyron Pinson; brother Shannon Pinson,; sister Shanda Kay Pinson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends .